The First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders - Upscaled study: Clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders (FREED) is a service model and care pathway for emerging adults aged 16 to 25-years with a recent onset eating disorder (ED) of <3 years. A previous single-site study suggests that FREED significantly improves clinical outcomes compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU). The present study (FREED-Up) assessed the scalability of FREED. A multi-centre quasi-experimental pre-post design was used, comparing patient outcomes before and after implementation of FREED in participating services. METHODS: FREED patients (n = 278) were consecutive, prospectively ascertained referrals to four specialist ED services in England, assessed at four time points over 12 months on ED symptoms, mood, service utilization and cost. FREED patients were compared to a TAU cohort (n = 224) of similar patients, identified retrospectively from electronic patient records in participating services. All were emerging adults aged 16-25 experiencing a first episode ED of <3 years duration. RESULTS: Overall, FREED patients made significant and rapid clinical improvements over time. 53.2% of FREED patients with anorexia nervosa reached a healthy weight at the 12-month timepoint, compared to only 17.9% of TAU patients (X2 [1, N = 107] = 10.46, p < .001). Significantly fewer FREED patients required intensive (i.e., in-patient or day-patient) treatment (6.6%) compared to TAU patients (12.4%) across the follow-up period (X2 [1, N = 40] = 4.36, p = .037). This contributed to a trend in cost savings in FREED compared to TAU (-£4472, p = .06, CI -£9168, £233). DISCUSSION: FREED is robust and scalable and is associated with substantial improvements in clinical outcomes, reduction in inpatient or day-patient admissions, and cost-savings.

Assessing implementation fidelity in the First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders service model.

BACKGROUND: The First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders (FREED) service model is associated with significant reductions in wait times and improved clinical outcomes for emerging adults with recent-onset eating disorders. An understanding of how FREED is implemented is a necessary precondition to enable an attribution of these findings to key components of the model, namely the wait-time targets and care package. AIMS: This study evaluated fidelity to the FREED service model during the multicentre FREED-Up study. METHOD: Participants were 259 emerging adults (aged 16-25 years) with an eating disorder of <3 years duration, offered treatment through the FREED care pathway. Patient journey records documented patient care from screening to end of treatment. Adherence to wait-time targets (engagement call within 48 h, assessment within 2 weeks, treatment within 4 weeks) and care package, and differences in adherence across diagnosis and treatment group were examined. RESULTS: There were significant increases (16-40%) in adherence to the wait-time targets following the introduction of FREED, irrespective of diagnosis. Receiving FREED under optimal conditions also increased adherence to the targets. Care package use differed by component and diagnosis. The most used care package activities were psychoeducation and dietary change. Attention to transitions was less well used. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides an indication of adherence levels to key components of the FREED model. These adherence rates can tentatively be considered as clinically meaningful thresholds. Results highlight aspects of the model and its implementation that warrant future examination.

Exploring the use of individualised patient-reported outcome measures in eating disorders: Validation of the Psychological Outcome Profiles.

RATIONALE: Psychotherapies for eating disorders (EDs) are routinely assessed using standardised patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). PROMs have been criticised for their lack of patient centeredness and clinical utility. The Psychological Outcome Profiles (PSYCHLOPS) is an individualised PROM that allows patients to specify their own outcomes. AIMS: (1) To validate the use of the PSYCHLOPS in ED treatment, and (2) to identify patient concerns beyond those measured by common ED PROMs. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy-eight emerging adult patients, presenting with a first-episode ED (aged 16-25, illness duration <3 years) completed the PSYCHLOPS and two standardised ED PROMs (the EatingDisorder Examination Questionnaire [EDE-Q] and the Clinical Impairment Assessment Questionnaire [CIA]) at four time points across 12 months. Psychometrics of the PSYCHLOPS were assessed quantitatively against the EDE-Q and CIA. Content analysis assessed unique patient concerns identified by PSYCHLOPS. RESULTS: The PSYCHLOPS had adequate to good psychometric properties. A total of 53.3% of participants reported a concern not addressed by the EDE-Q or the CIA, the most common being depression/anxiety, academic problems, treatment concerns and disturbed sleep. DISCUSSION: PROMs can be complemented by the PSYCHLOPS to identify problems specific to an individual's context. As ED patients are typically ambivalent about change, understanding their concerns is vital in building motivation for change.

"I'm truly free from my eating disorder": Emerging adults' experiences of FREED, an early intervention service model and care pathway for eating disorders.

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders (EDs) typically start during adolescence or emerging adulthood, periods of intense biopsychosocial development. FREED (First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for EDs) is a service model and care pathway providing rapid access to developmentally-informed care for emerging adults with EDs. FREED is associated with reduced duration of untreated eating disorder and improved clinical outcomes, but patients' experiences of treatment have yet to be assessed. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess emerging adults' experiences of receiving treatment through FREED. METHOD: This study triangulated qualitative data on participants' experiences of FREED treatment from questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Participants were 106 emerging adults (aged 16-25; illness duration < 3 yrs) (questionnaire only = 92; interview only = 6; both = 8). Data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: Most participants reported psychological and behavioural changes over the course of treatment (e.g. reduction in symptoms; increased acceptance and understanding of difficulties). Participants identified five beneficial characteristics of FREED treatment: i) rapid access to treatment; ii) knowledgeable and concerned clinicians; iii) focusing on life beyond the eating disorder; iv) building a support network; v) becoming your own therapist. CONCLUSION: This study provides further supports for the implementation of early intervention and developmentally-informed care for EDs. Future service model development should include efforts to increase early help-seeking.

Assessing the impact of First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders on duration of untreated eating disorder: A multi-centre quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Duration of untreated eating disorder (DUED), that is, the time between illness onset and start of first evidence-based treatment, is a key outcome for early intervention. Internationally, reported DUED ranges from 2.5 to 6 years for different eating disorders (EDs). To shorten DUED, we developed FREED (First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for EDs), a service model and care pathway for emerging adults with EDs. Here, we assess the impact of FREED on DUED in a multi-centre study using a quasi-experimental design. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy-eight patients aged 16-25, with first episode illness of less than 3 years duration, were recruited from specialist ED services and offered treatment via FREED. These were compared to 224 patients, of similar age and illness duration, seen previously in participating services (treatment as usual [TAU]) on DUED, waiting times and treatment uptake. RESULTS: FREED patients had significantly shorter DUED and waiting times than TAU patients. On average, DUED was reduced by ∼4 months when systemic delays were minimal. Furthermore, 97.8% of FREED patients took up treatment, versus 75.4% of TAU. DISCUSSION: Findings indicate that FREED significantly improves access to treatment for emerging adults with first episode ED. FREED may reduce distress, prevent deterioration and facilitate recovery.

Ten session body image therapy: efficacy of a manualised body image therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of 10 session body image therapy (BAT-10) in the treatment of anorexia nervosa with adherence to the methodological guidance for complex interventions. METHOD: Fifty-five adult inpatients with anorexia nervosa at two national centres received the group-based manualised body-image therapy (BAT-10). BAT-10 was refined, developed and manualised over two decades, by using the mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy, including mirror exposure. Outcomes were evaluated using Body Checking Questionnaire, Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire, Physical Appearance State and Trait Anxiety Scale, Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire and Quality of Life in Eating Disorders. Participant experience was evaluated qualitatively by an interpretative phenomenological analysis. RESULTS: Ten session body image therapy achieved highly statistically significant changes in body checking, body avoidance and anxiety, as well as shape-concern and weight-concern, without the between-therapist effects. The quality of life improved globally but not in relation to the psychological subcategory. DISCUSSION: Ten session body image therapy delivers behavioural and cognitive improvements in body image in the short-term, suggesting an effective, feasible and acceptable manual-based therapy.