Effectiveness of Family Intervention Programs Based on the Interpersonal Cognitive Model of Anorexia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Introduction This paper aims to examine family intervention programs based on the Cognitive-Interpersonal Maintenance Model of anorexia nervosa (AN) and their impact on patients and carers.Method A systematic search was undertaken across several databases through 20 December 2024 in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses.Results 15 studies were identified. Meta-analyses of patient outcomes revealed no significant differences in BMI, eating disorder symptomatology, or emotional well-being between intervention and control groups at post-treatment or 12-month follow-up. In contrast, carers showed significant improvements in emotional well-being and expressed emotion at post-treatment, with benefits maintained at follow-up, and enhanced caregiving skills. These family intervention programs yielded better results in the evaluated variables among carers compared to the other programs with which they were compared. Moderator analyses suggested that these interventions are more effective in improving caregiving skills if they are delivered in a face-to-face format and improve caregivers' emotional well-being and accommodation to a greater extent when patients are younger.Conclusions The present findings highlight the positive impact of family intervention programs based on this model on carers, particularly in enhancing their emotional well-being, expressed emotion and care skills. Future studies should continue to refine these programs to optimise benefits for all stakeholders involved.