None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to compare different weighing practices in the early stages of inpatient treatment for Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. Specifically, we aim to compare the benefits of “open weighing” (where patients are weighed within the therapy session and their weight is then discussed with the therapist overtly) and “blind weighing” (where patients are weighed by the therapist but this information is not shared with him or her). Despite considerable debate about this issue in the literature, to our knowledge, there has been no systematic comparison of patient outcomes following blind and open weighing. Weighing is a key component in the treatment of eating disorders and specific evidence is needed to determine which approach is most beneficial for patients. The current project aims to fill this gap by comparing weighing methods in a specialised inpatient setting. Participants will be randomised to either open weighing or blind weighing. Following consent (assent for adolescents aged< 18 years), participants will be randomised in blocks. The primary outcome variable will be anxiety levels before and after being weighed. Secondary outcomes include rate of weight gain, body and weight preoccupations, tolerance of uncertainty, meal completion and treatment motivation.
Interventions
"Open weighing”: Patients are individually weighed in their underwear by a nurse twice weekly for four weeks. Weighing takes place in the morning in front of the nurses station before patients have breakfast. The outcome is communicated clearly to the patient in form of an actual weight (not simply "up", "down", or "OK"). The patient's weight is then overtly discussed between the patient and treating team (e.g., dieticians, psychologists, psychiatrists) and this information is used as a part of
"Open weighing”: Patients are individually weighed in their underwear by a nurse twice weekly for four weeks. Weighing takes place in the morning in front of the nurses station before patients have breakfast. The outcome is communicated clearly to the patient in form of an actual weight (not simply "up", "down", or "OK"). The patient's weight is then overtly discussed between the patient and treating team (e.g., dieticians, psychologists, psychiatrists) and this information is used as a part of treatment. For example, dieticians may make changes to the patient's meal plan depending on weight gain/loss and psychologist may discuss weight in the context of cognitive behavioural therapy sessions. Patients are asked to complete outcome measure questionnaires directly before and after being weighed.
Sponsors
UNSW Australia
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Other
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
16 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Females, 16 years and over. Newly admitted patients to Wesley Hospital Ashfield, diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa and/or Bulimia Nervosa.
Exclusion criteria
Age (<16), gender (male)
Outcome results
None listed