A pilot evaluation of a novel First Episode and Rapid Early Intervention service for Eating Disorders (FREED).

Abstract

This pilot study assesses the impact of FREED (First Episode Rapid Early
Intervention for Eating Disorders [ED]), a novel transdiagnostic
service for emerging adults with recent ED onset, on clinical outcomes.
Data were collected from 56 patients and 19 carers for 12 months
following enrolment. FREED patients showed significant improvements in
ED and other symptoms across time. Carers also showed psychological
improvements. For FREED anorexia nervosa (AN) patients, body mass index
(BMI) at initial clinical assessment was similar to that of comparable
patients (audit cohort) seen in our service before (16.4 vs 16.1 kg/m²).
By start of treatment, because of their shorter wait, FREED‐AN had
gained weight whereas audit patients had lost (16.7 vs 15.8 kg/m²).
This difference continued throughout treatment, and at 12 months,
nearly 60% FREED‐AN patients returned to a BMI of 18.5 or greater. FREED
shows promise as a service model for emerging adults with EDs.