A Brief Parent Training Program Using Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques for Pediatric Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Eating disorder (ED) treatment is notoriously inaccessible due to geographic, financial, and/or time barriers. The current study proposes a novel treatment for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) to increase access to care for this novel ED. ARFID Parent Training Program (ARFID-PTP) is a two-session, virtual treatment utilizing evidence-based components for pediatric ARFID. Participants (n = 7) ages 5–12 and their parents completed an intake session, two sessions of treatment, end-of-treatment measures, and 4-week follow-up measures. Acceptability was assessed via the CEQ-C and satisfaction questions provided at end-of-treatment. Feasibility was assessed via recruitment and retention rates, treatment adherence, and need for a booster session (e.g., problem-solving session) at 4-week follow-up. Overall, ARFID-PTP was considered an acceptable treatment approach; however, markers of feasibility, such as treatment nonadherence (low completion of daily food exposures), indicate further testing should implement modifications to treatment. We propose modifications to address feasibility concerns with the goal of continuing to assess ARFID-PTP in a randomized controlled trial.