The short term effectiveness of day treatment for eating disorders in reducing psychosocial impairment: utilizing the clinical impairment assessment in routine practice

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of a day treatment programme (DTP) in reducing psychosocial impairment, changing attitudes, restoring body-weight and decreasing binge/vomit symptoms among 52 individuals (aged 16+) with eating disorders. It was hypothesized that day treatment would result in improvements across all variables measured.

Design/methodology/approach

In a within-participants design, demographic, physiological and psychological measures were taken on admission to and at discharge from a DTP in the UK. Quantitative outcomes were analysed.

Findings

In total, 40 participants were considered to have received an adequate dose of the DTP, having completed at least four weeks on the programme. Analyses supported all hypotheses, with all improvements being statistically significant. Large effect sizes were evident for all outcomes across the whole sample other than shape concern attitudes and weight concern attitudes, which reduced with moderate and moderate-to-large effect sizes, respectively.

Originality/value

This study provides new evidence of the effectiveness of day treatment in reducing psychosocial impairment resulting from eating disorder psychopathology. It remains for future research to determine whether these outcomes can be sustained over the longer term.

Citation

Hepburn, Z.M. and Clark-Stone, S. (2016), "The short term effectiveness of day treatment for eating disorders in reducing psychosocial impairment: utilizing the clinical impairment assessment in routine practice", Mental Health Review Journal, Vol. 21 No. 1, pp. 11-22. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHRJ-10-2014-0039