A Historical Cohort Comparison After Inpatient Admission for Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa: Feasibility of Virtual Group Therapy.

OBJECTIVE

Access to follow-up care after a medical admission for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) is important; yet access can be delayed or unavailable. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a supplemental virtual 8-week outpatient group therapy program following inpatient care. A secondary aim explored the outpatient program's impact on self-reported anxiety, disordered eating, and depression symptoms, and readmission rates.

METHOD: A retrospective chart review study compared 68 adolescents (aged 11-18) with AN enrolled in an 8-week group therapy program (Recovery and Prevention Program [RAPP]) to 64 adolescents who were not enrolled in RAPP (historical cohort). "RAPP completers" were defined as having attended 75% of their scheduled virtual therapy appointments.

RESULTS

RAPP demonstrated strong feasibility and acceptability, with a weekly attendance averaging 80%, and high participant satisfaction ratings (4.2 out of 5). Within-group comparisons of RAPP participants found that greater attendance was associated with decreased anxiety (p = 0.01) and ED symptoms (p < 0.001). Compared to females in the historical cohort, female RAPP completers had lower readmission rates within 6 months of discharge (p = 0.03).

DISCUSSION: This is the first study to demonstrate feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary changes over time in appointment attendance and self-reported mental health symptoms among adolescents with AN discharging from an inpatient ED program participating in a supplemental virtual group therapy program.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrated that an 8-week virtual group therapy program (RAPP) is feasible and acceptable to adolescents with AN post-inpatient treatment and could serve as a promising supplement to family-based treatment to improve access to necessary follow-up care, including publicly insured patients from primarily Spanish-speaking families.