Effectiveness of Virtually Delivered Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a complex eating disorder.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy for ARFID (CBT-AR) shows promise in open trials.
• Effectiveness of CBT-AR in real-world, virtual settings remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate the effectiveness of virtually delivered CBT-AR for adults with ARFID.
• Examine if baseline symptom severity predicts treatment outcomes within ARFID profiles.

Main Methods:

• A total of 549 adults with ARFID received virtual CBT-AR.
• Weight and ARFID symptom data were collected at intake and throughout treatment.
• Regression analyses assessed weight changes, symptom reductions, and predictive relationships.

Main Results:

• Adults requiring weight restoration gained an average of 0.34 lb/week.
• Significant reductions were observed in sensory sensitivity, fear of consequences, and lack of appetite.
• Higher baseline symptom severity within each ARFID profile predicted greater improvement in that specific domain.

Conclusions:

• Virtually delivered CBT-AR is effective for adults with ARFID in naturalistic settings.
• The treatment leads to significant improvements in weight and ARFID-related symptoms.
• Findings support the clinical utility of profile-based treatment planning for ARFID.