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This project is testing whether an internet-based intervention for carers of people with anorexia is effective and useful. The interactive web programme aims to give carers information and skills to help them help their relative, cope with care-giving and reduce their distress, which may in turn help their relative. It was developed by the IoP Section of Eating Disorders/SLaM Eating Disorders Unit in collaboration with beat, Dr Chris Williams from the University of Glasgow, Media Innovations and patients and carers.
The programme includes information on how to communicate with a person with anorexia; how to support them at meal times; facilitate weight gain and re-establish healthy eating; how to manage crises and conflict; and how to assess and manage risk. There is also information on the use of the Mental Health Act, the role of different health professionals, and about NHS and voluntary services.
Why carry out the research?
The NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) treatment guidelines on eating disorders stress the importance of involving carers of people with anorexia throughout treatment, and of addressing carers’ needs, in particular the need for relevant information.
No structured interventions for carers exist outside specialist eating disorders centres. If proved effective, the web-based intervention could be made widely available to carers of people with anorexia.
Carers of 27 patients with anorexia have already tested an off-line version of the programme, telling the research team how effective and useful they found it.
What is the research being done now?
We now need to recruit about 60 carers for this new project. In this project half the carers will be randomly allocated to computer to the web-based intervention and half the carers will be randomly allocated to to beat support.
We are currently recruiting volunteer carers. If you would like any more information or to take part, please make contact with Miriam Grover on the details listed below.
Who is involved?
The research is being led by Miriam Grover in the IoP Section of Eating Disorders/SLaM Eating Disorders Unit. The project is being conducted in collaboration with beat and is funded by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
Contact details:
Miriam Grover
Tel: 020 3228 3180 or 020 7848 0653
Email: miriam.grover@slam.nhs.uk or m.grover@iop.kcl.ac.uk
