Symposia
Improved Use of Research Evidence
Melanie Smith, Ph.D.
Director of Training
The Renfrew Center
Boca Raton, Florida
Taylor E. Penwell, PhD
Study Coordinator
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Gayle Brooks, Ph.D., CEDS-S
Vice President & Chief Clinical Officer
The Renfrew Center
Coconut Creek, Florida
Heather Thompson-Brenner, Ph.D., FAED
Research consultant
The Renfrew Center
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Background: The necessity for accessible, evidence-based treatments for eating disorders (EDs) was accelerated by the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, there is limited research examining teletherapy for group ED treatment, like what is offered in traditional partial hospital programs (TPHP). This study compares treatment outcomes for those in TPHP to those in a virtual partial hospital program (VPHP).
Methods: Patients in both groups were treated at various Renfrew Center locations using the Renfrew Unified Treatment for Eating Disorders and Comorbidity (UT), a transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program based on the Unified Protocol (UP; Barlow et al., 2017). 381 patients (TPHP = 162; VPHP = 156) completed the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q); Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D); Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (BEAQ); Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI); and Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS). Independent samples t-tests were conducted to compare baseline scores on all measures. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the effect of treatment type (TPHP vs. VPHP) on outcomes at program discharge, controlling for baseline score, age, comorbidity, residential stepdown status, and discharge status.
Results: There were no significant differences on baseline scores for all measures. Multiple regression analyses revealed that baseline scores and residential stepdown status were significant negative predictors of outcome on the EDE-Q, CESD, and OASIS. Additionally, treatment type was not a significant predictor of outcomes at discharge for all models. Discussion Preliminary results of a VPHP program supports that it is a potential treatment option following the pandemic, which can increase access to evidence-based, intensive treatment for eating disorders.