Development and early implementation of a brief 2-day multidisciplinary parent training group for paediatric ARFID: A feasibility and acceptability study.

OBJECTIVE

Many children with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) cannot access appropriate care, as existing individual and family treatments are scarce, long and costly. We developed a brief 2-day (12-h) multidisciplinary parent training group and assessed its feasibility and acceptability in routine care.

METHOD: Single-arm implementation study in one tertiary centre. Parents of 18 children (5-14 years) with DSM-5 ARFID (17/18 sensory-based; non-French-speaking families excluded) attended two days three weeks apart. Guided by the RE-AIM framework, we assessed reach, feasibility (a priori benchmark ≥75% completion) and acceptability (HAQ-11S; CSQ-8; parents' written feedback). Clinician-rated severity (CGI-S) was an exploratory, uncontrolled signal.

RESULTS

Of 26 eligible families, 18 (69%) enrolled and 16 (89%) completed both days, exceeding the benchmark; attendance was almost exclusively maternal (83%). HAQ-11S and CSQ-8 scores were high and increased post-program (p < .001), and all respondents rated the satisfaction questionnaire positively. Parents' immediate self-reports most often cited better understanding of the disorder, increased competence and reduced isolation. CGI-S was numerically lower afterwards but this uncontrolled change cannot be attributed to the intervention.

CONCLUSION

This brief multidisciplinary parent group for paediatric ARFID is feasible and highly acceptable in this specialist setting, resource use and clinical benefit require controlled evaluation.