The effect of multiple family therapy on weight gain in adolescents with anorexia nervosa: pilot data.

OBJECTIVE

Preliminary research suggests that multiple family therapy (MFT) may be an effective intervention for adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN). This study compared the extent of weight restoration for patients enrolled in one year of MFT compared to a matched control group receiving treatment as usual (TAU).

METHOD: A retrospective chart review was performed using data from 25 MFT cases matched to 25 controls on age, diagnosis and year of entry to the eating disorder program.

RESULTS

Both cases and controls experienced significant weight restoration, however patients enrolled in MFT were restored to a higher mean percent ideal body weight than the TAU group (99.6% (±7.27%) vs. 95.4 (±6.88); p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

MFT may be more effective than TAU in restoring weight in adolescents with AN.