ARFID Parent Training Protocol (“ARFID‐PTP”): Results of a Randomized Pilot Trial Evaluating a Brief, Parent‐Training Program for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

• Published in: The International journal of eating disorders Vol. 57; no. 11; pp. 2306 - 2317
• Main Authors: Breiner, Courtney E., Miller, McKenzie L., Hormes, Julia M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.11.2024; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder; brief intervention; children; eating disorders; Feasibility; picky eating; treatment; virtual treatment; brief intervention; picky eating; treatment; children; avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder; virtual treatment; eating disorders
• ISSN: 0276-3478; 1098-108X; 1098-108X
• DOI: 10.1002/eat.24269

ABSTRACT Objective Accessible treatment options for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) in children are limited. The current study sought to assess acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of a brief, virtual intervention for ARFID in children (“ARFID‐PTP”). Method Families of children ages 5–12 with ARFID (n = 30) were randomized to immediate or waitlist treatment groups, with both groups ultimately receiving ARFID‐PTP. ARFID‐PTP consists of two, 2‐h individual treatment sessions with an optional booster session at 4‐week follow‐up. Families completed acceptability and feasibility measures at end‐of‐treatment, as well as preliminary efficacy measures at 4‐week, 3‐month, and 6‐month follow‐up. Results Of 30 families who completed an intake session, 27 (90%) completed treatment. Families rated acceptability as high (M CEQ‐C = 7.75). Treatment was feasible by participant retention. Exposure adherence was lower than expected, and booster session requests were higher than expected, indicating that achieving feasibility across measures may require treatment modifications. Regarding preliminary efficacy, children in the immediate treatment group had a decrease in ARFID symptoms compared to those on the waitlist. Overall, at 6‐month follow‐up linear mixed models showed participants had significantly reduced ARFID symptoms by presentation (p < 0.05) and in follow‐up completers, children incorporated eight new foods on average. Discussion ARFID‐PTP is acceptable and preliminarily efficacious. The protocol may benefit from modifications to increase feasibility; however, booster session content and treatment outcomes suggest a priori feasibility markers may not accurately capture the utility of ARFID‐PTP. Further work should continue to examine the efficacy ARFID‐PTP, particularly in diverse samples where treatment accessibility is urgently needed. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04913194