Effectiveness of day treatment for eating disorders: are improvements maintained at 12-month follow-up?

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a specialist UK day treatment programme (DTP), in terms of whether improvements in eating disorder symptomology and psychosocial impairment achieved at discharge were maintained at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. Design/methodology/approach A total of 69 patients (aged 16+) with eating disorders who had received treatment in the DTP were reviewed at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups, using demographic, physiological and psychological measures. Quantitative outcomes were analysed using one-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Findings Data analysis revealed that significant improvements in eating disordered attitudes, body mass index (among underweight participants), binge frequency (among participants with those symptoms) and psychosocial impairment achieved at discharge, were also maintained at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups, and with large effect sizes. All hypotheses were supported, with the exception that frequency of vomiting symptoms had deteriorated at the 12-month follow-up and was no longer significantly different from vomiting frequency on admission. Originality/value Results provide support for the sustained effectiveness of DTPs in improving eating disorder symptoms and psychosocial impairment associated with eating disorders. This is the first study to evaluate the effectiveness of a UK DTP for adults at maintaining improvements to eating disorder symptoms and attitudes at follow-up.

Experiences of a virtual day program for adolescents with eating disorders: a qualitative analysis of benefits and barriers

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that DTPs result in greater improvements in psychological symptoms relating to the Eating Disorder inventory, BMI, and depression and self-esteem when compared to outpatient treatments [ 4 ]. Other studies identified that these changes were maintained at 6 and 12-month follow-ups, supporting the effectiveness of DTPs [ 5 ]. Further long term outcomes related to BMI, relapse and readmission rates favor DTPs over in patient admission, endorsing the need for widespread use of these programs [ 5 ].…”

“…Other studies identified that these changes were maintained at 6 and 12-month follow-ups, supporting the effectiveness of DTPs [ 5 ]. Further long term outcomes related to BMI, relapse and readmission rates favor DTPs over in patient admission, endorsing the need for widespread use of these programs [ 5 ].…”