Guided Self Help for Anorexia Nervosa

(GSHimplement Trial)

Overseen By Jennifer Couturier, MSc, MD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: McMaster University

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Eating disorders are amongst the most understudied illnesses affecting young women in Canada. Further, mortality rates are amongst the highest of all psychiatric illnesses. Despite their high prevalence and mortality rates, research into adolescent eating disorders is underfunded in Canada. In addition to the problem of research underfunding, healthcare system underfunding exists - creating long waiting lists and fragmented care for children and youth with eating disorders. More efficient treatments are urgently needed to reduce wait times and provide expedited care to adolescents on eating disorder waitlists. The current study aims to assess whether implementing a virtual parent-lead therapy, Guided Self Help Family-Based Therapy (GSH FBT) might alleviate wait times for eating disorder services and also reduce eating disorder symptomatology in young people with anorexia nervosa. This study also aims to determine the experiences of both families and medical teams of GSH FBT implementation as an intervention.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young individuals in Canada with anorexia nervosa or other eating disorders. It's designed to help those facing long wait times for treatment by testing a virtual parent-led therapy called Guided Self Help Family-Based Therapy (GSH FBT).

Inclusion Criteria

Access to computer and internet connection

My family has a teenager diagnosed with Anorexia nervosa.

Capacity to speak, write, and understand English

Exclusion Criteria

Adolescent has a current physical condition known to influence weight or eating (pregnancy, diabetes mellitus)

My body weight is expected to be less than 75% of the ideal for my age.

Does not have the capacity to speak, write, and understand English

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Guided Self Help Family Based Therapy (GSH FBT) (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of GSH FBT, a virtual therapy led by parents to treat adolescents with eating disorders. The goal is to see if this method can reduce waiting periods and improve symptoms more efficiently.

Participant Groups

Group I: Parents who have a child with anorexia nervosa Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Each participant will receive a series of pre-recorded videos, an electric scale, and a therapy manual ("Help Your Teen Beat an Eating Disorder"). This will include content on empowering parents to renourish their child and interrupt binge/purge behaviors.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

McMaster University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

936

Recruited

2,630,000+

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Collaborator

Trials

1,417

Recruited

26,550,000+