Partial program outcome study demonstrates weight gain
Rogers Memorial’s eating disorders partial program shows significant weight and symptoms improvement after five weeks of treatment.
OBJECTIVES & STUDY DESIGN
The objective of this outcome study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary partial program to decrease symptoms severity and improve weight in adolescents and young adults diagnosed with eating disorders. Study participants were 26 adolescents and young adults admitted for treatment in the eating
disorder services partial hospitalization program at Rogers Memorial Hospital-Milwaukee who gave their voluntary consent to participate in Rogers Memorial outcome studies. In addition, another three clients left treatment against medical advice and four were transferred to a higher level of treatment.
Key Findings
The results for weight gain show that study participants overall gained an average of 10 pounds during the 5 weeks of treatment. The average weight at admission was 110 pounds and at discharge was 120 pounds. When only the clients diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa were taken into consideration, the weight gain increase from a mean of 102 pounds at admission to 117 pounds at discharge.
Eating disordered symptoms and behaviors were measured with the EDI-3 and EDE-Q.
Both instruments show reductions that were statistically significant from admission and discharge. At admission the EDI-3 mean score was 145 and the EDE-Q mean score was 3.6; at discharge the EDI-3 was reduced to 119 and the EDE-Q was reduced to 1.7. All changes were statistically significant.
Co-morbid symptoms are an important contributor to patients’ well being and effective treatment programs should address these symptoms. The results show depression severity as measured on the BDI was reduced from a mean score of 22 at admission to 10 at discharge; the results of the STAI were reduced from 101 at admission to 39 at discharge. All changes were statistically significant.