---
title: Attachment-Based Family Therapy for Adolescents With Binge Eating
nct_id: NCT04779801
overall_status: UNKNOWN
phase: NA
sponsor: Drexel University
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
primary_condition: Bulimia Nervosa
countries: United States
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT04779801.md"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04779801"
ct_last_update_post_date: 2021-03-03
last_seen_at: "2026-05-12T07:15:44.685Z"
source: ClinicalTrials.gov (mirrored, no enrichment)
---
# Attachment-Based Family Therapy for Adolescents With Binge Eating

**Official Title:** Attachment-Based Family Therapy for Adolescents With Transdiagnostic Binge Eating

**NCT ID:** [NCT04779801](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04779801)

## Key Facts

- **Status:** UNKNOWN
- **Phase:** NA
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Target Enrollment:** 20
- **Lead Sponsor:** Drexel University
- **Conditions:** Bulimia Nervosa, Binge-Eating Disorder, Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder
- **Start Date:** 2020-12-10
- **Completion Date:** 2022-04-10
- **CT.gov Last Update:** 2021-03-03

## Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine whether Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT), a well-validated treatment for adolescents with depression and suicidality, is feasible and acceptable for adolescents with binge eating and their families.

## Detailed Description

This study involves a phone screen and baseline assessment to determine eligibility. Participants who are eligible for the study will receive 16 weeks of ABFT treatment. The treatment primarily focuses on improving communication and relationships within the family, and will also address disordered eating behaviors (e.g., binge eating, laxative use, self-induced vomiting). All participants enrolled in the study will receive the same treatment. Participants will also complete research assessments throughout treatment, at the end of treatment, and 3-months after the end of treatment. Research assessments include a battery of questionnaires and interviews.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 12 Years
- **Maximum age:** 22 Years
- **Sex:** ALL
- **Healthy Volunteers:** No

```
Inclusion Criteria:

* Speak, write, and understand English
* Age 12-22 years old
* Have a diagnosis of DSM-5 AN, BN, BED, or OSFED
* Medically stable for outpatient treatment
* Must have a parent, guardian, or primary caregiver who is willing to participate in the study and treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

* Acute suicide risk
* No parent or guardian agreement to participate
* Are currently receiving psychological treatment for an eating disorder
* Are currently receiving weight loss treatment
* Co-morbid clinically significant psychological disorder that would require attention beyond the study treatment (e.g., psychotic disorder, substance dependence)
* Diagnosis of intellectual disability
```

## Arms

- **ABFT** (EXPERIMENTAL) — Adolescents and one or both parents will complete 16 weeks of Attachment-Based Family Therapy treatment.

## Interventions

- **Attachment-Based Family Therapy** (BEHAVIORAL) — 16 weeks of Attachment-Based Family Therapy treatment.

## Primary Outcomes

- **Five-Minute Speech Sample (FMSS)** _(time frame: Change in critical comments and emotional overinvolvement from baseline to treatment completion, at 16 weeks)_ — The Five-Minute Speech Sample is a widely-used interview to assess critical comments and emotional overinvolvement in families.

## Secondary Outcomes

- **Eating Disorder Examination (EDE)** _(time frame: Change in frequency of binge-eating and, if applicable, purging from baseline to treatment completion, at 16 weeks)_

## Locations (1)

- Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States — _RECRUITING_

## Recent Field Changes (last 30 days)

- `armsInterventions.arms` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.secondary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.overallStatus` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.primaryCompletionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.completionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.lastUpdatePostDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.phases` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.enrollmentCount` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.criteria` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.minAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.maxAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.sex` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.primary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.interventions` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `sponsor.lead` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `results.hasResults` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.drexel university|philadelphia|pennsylvania|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT04779801.md*  
*Source data (authoritative): https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04779801*  
*This page is a raw mirror with no AI summary, no editorial enrichment, and no Parkinson's-specific filtering.*