Brief Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)-informed reformulation for young people with eating disorders: A case series

Background: Onset of eating disorders (ED) peaks in young people and interpersonal factors can influence development and maintenance. With increased referrals to EDs services, accessible, brief interventions may support early intervention and improve outcomes. Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) is a transdiagnostic relational approach which can offer benefit for a range of presenting difficulties. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a brief, CAT-informed reformulation for young people with ED.
Design: A case-series design recruited eight young people who met inclusion and exclusion criteria to participate in the five-session intervention.
Method: Recruitment took place from NHS EDs services. Feasibility and acceptability were measured via recruitment, retention, qualitative feedback, and missing data. Psychological distress, EDs severity, personal recovery, and motivation to change were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up. Participants also completed sessional measures of psychological distress and alliance.
Results: Eight eligible participants aged 15 – 24 years (M=20.25, SD=3.58) consented to take part and received the intervention. All participants attended all intervention sessions and completed all assessments. Participants reported positive experiences of the intervention. There was an associated reduction across clinical outcomes, including psychological distress and EDs severity.
Conclusions: This case series showed promising results on the feasibility and acceptability of a brief CAT-informed reformulation for young people with ED. However, the study had a small sample size and no comparator control group. Larger scale exploration of a brief CAT-informed reformulation for EDs among young people is warranted.