Evaluation of a New Program for Carers of People with Anorexia Nervosa

Evaluation of a Skills-Based Program for Carers & Families of Patients with Anorexia Nervosa

CAREFREE is a 12-session Carer's Programme for carers of adults with moderate to severe Anorexia Nervosa. This programme was developed to provide carers with an opportunity to develop an understanding of Anorexia from a Biopsychosocial framework, taking into account the complex array of biological, psychological and social/environmental factors associated with the development and maintenance of this disorder. The CAREFREE programme is unique in its focus on providing a framework for understanding AN from a Schema -Compassion Focused framework, incorporating psychoeducation in regard to both Anorexia Nervosa and Carer Burnout. The programme has a relational focus, with an emphasis on improving emotional fluency, family communication skills and self-other compassion. The CAREFREE programme is open to carers from across Scotland and runs online. Outcomes (including carer and patient quality of life, family communication, patient motivation to change) will be analysed and published at the end of the 24-month period. One of the key benefits of this programme is that as it is a cross-regional-NHS project.

Moderate to Severe Anorexia Nervosa (AN-MS)is characterised by poor treatment outcomes, poor quality of life, low motivation levels and ambivalence about change, with high burden on families and NHS services. This study aims to improve quality of life and relationships amongst those with AN-MS and their families/partners/carers, and enhance motivation to recover amongst adults with AN-MS, ultimately resulting in enhanced care and reduced inpatient admissions. We will evaluate a new online group intervention for families/carers and partners. This is a two-phase study: Phase 1 feasibility trial will evaluate factors such as recruitment and retention of clinicians and participants, collection of assessment measures and acceptability of the intervention. Phase 2 will use this information to inform the development of a second more robust feasibility study which will enable us to determine whether this new untested intervention is effective in its own right, as a precursor for a larger definitive trial.

Carer Participants

Inclusion Criteria

• Has a family member, partner or spouse/partner with moderate-severe, treatment resistant and/or co-morbid anorexia nervosa (as diagnosed by a clinician at one these centres)
• Is over the age of 17
• Can speak and read English
• Has access to the internet and is comfortable using an online meeting platform

Exclusion Criteria

• Cannot speak/read English
• Is currently suffering from acute psychosis

Participants with Anorexia

Inclusion Criteria

• Have moderate-severe, treatment resistant and/or co-morbid anorexia nervosa (as diagnosed by a clinician at one these centres)
• Is over 17 years of age
• Can speak and read English

Exclusion Criteria

• Is currently suffering from acute psychotic mental health state