Pilot Case Series Studying a Psychoeducational and Motivational Treatment for Children With Low-Weight Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

Objective

Research on treatments for children with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is needed. This pilot case series describes outcome data for 20 children ages 6–12 years old with a diagnosis of ARFID and who are low-weight.

Method

Participants were recruited nationwide as part of an ongoing randomized clinical trial. All participants in this study received a 14-session psychoeducational and motivational treatment (PMT) protocol. Parents completed measures of ARFID severity (the Pica, ARFID, Rumination Disorder Interview) and parental self-efficacy (Parents vs. ARFID scale). Height and weight were self-reported by parents and percent of estimated body weight (%EBW) was calculated. Assessments occurred at baseline, 1-month within treatment, 2-months within treatment, end-of-treatment (EOT), and 6-month follow-up.

Results

Twenty children (10.34 ± 1.76 years; 85% Non-Hispanic; 75% White; 70% female; 84.16 ± 4.66% EBW) with low-weight ARFID and their parents received PMT-ARFID with a clinician specializing in eating disorders. By EOT, PARDI severity scores decreased (large effect size) parental self-efficacy increased (medium effect size), but %EBW remained unchanged.

Discussion

Additional research evaluating PMT in adequately powered clinical trials for youth with ARFID is needed.