Attachment-Based Family Therapy for Adolescents With Binge Eating

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Bulimia Nervosa; Binge-Eating Disorder; Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder
• Interventions: Behavioral: Attachment-Based Family Therapy

• Registration Number: NCT04779801
• Lead Sponsor: Drexel University

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine whether Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT), a well-validated treatment for adolescents with depression and suicidality, is feasible and acceptable for adolescents with binge eating and their families.

Detailed Description

This study involves a phone screen and baseline assessment to determine eligibility. Participants who are eligible for the study will receive 16 weeks of ABFT treatment. The treatment primarily focuses on improving communication and relationships within the family, and will also address disordered eating behaviors (e.g., binge eating, laxative use, self-induced vomiting). All participants enrolled in the study will receive the same treatment. Participants will also complete research assessments throughout treatment, at the end of treatment, and 3-months after the end of treatment. Research assessments include a battery of questionnaires and interviews.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2020-12
• Study Start: 2020-12-10
• Study First Submitted: 2021-02-25
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-03-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-03-02
• Study First Posted: 2021-03-03
• Last Update Posted: 2021-03-03
• Primary Completion: 2021-12-10
• Study Completion: 2022-04-10

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 20

Inclusion Criteria

• Speak, write, and understand English
• Age 12-22 years old
• Have a diagnosis of DSM-5 AN, BN, BED, or OSFED
• Medically stable for outpatient treatment
• Must have a parent, guardian, or primary caregiver who is willing to participate in the study and treatment

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Exclusion Criteria

• Acute suicide risk
• No parent or guardian agreement to participate
• Are currently receiving psychological treatment for an eating disorder
• Are currently receiving weight loss treatment
• Co-morbid clinically significant psychological disorder that would require attention beyond the study treatment (e.g., psychotic disorder, substance dependence)
• Diagnosis of intellectual disability

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
ABFT	Attachment-Based Family Therapy	Adolescents and one or both parents will complete 16 weeks of Attachment-Based Family Therapy treatment.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Five-Minute Speech Sample (FMSS)	Change in critical comments and emotional overinvolvement from baseline to treatment completion, at 16 weeks	The Five-Minute Speech Sample is a widely-used interview to assess critical comments and emotional overinvolvement in families.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Eating Disorder Examination (EDE)	Change in frequency of binge-eating and, if applicable, purging from baseline to treatment completion, at 16 weeks	The Eating Disorder Examination is a widely-used, semi-structured interview for the assessment of eating disorder symptoms.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Drexel University; 🇺🇸 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States