Paediatric eating disorders: Exploring virtual family therapy during a global pandemic

Abstract

AbstractAimExplore treatment response and effectiveness of virtual treatment for a paediatric eating disorder sample.MethodsTwenty patients and their families who received either virtual or in‐person family therapy were included in the study. Family therapy was informed by family‐based treatment (FBT) principles. Patients' weight restoration at 1, 3, and 6 months after starting treatment was examined. Independent sample t tests assessed group differences and a Fisher exact test was used to evaluate the association between treatment group and weight restoration.ResultsWeight restoration did not significantly differ between treatment groups (virtual vs. in‐person) at any time point and there was no association between group and remission weight at 6 months.ConclusionsStudy results are considered exploratory. Future research addressing study limitations is needed. Results suggest that paediatric eating disorder patients may benefit from family therapy delivered via a virtual platform.