Objective: To assess for the validity of a future trial, the current feasibility study aimed to compare the feasibility and efficacy of a web- and workshop-based education intervention for caregivers of adults with eating disorders.
Methods: Psychoeducation was provided to caregivers, who were randomly assigned to a web or workshop condition. Independent samples t tests were conducted to analyse the between-group effect sizes for intervention condition with regard to change over time. A random selection of participants from each intervention provided qualitative feedback about their experiences.
Results: Overall, participants reported positive experiences in both education interventions. From baseline to the end of intervention, small between-group effect sizes were observed for changes in caregiver accommodation, problem-solving abilities, the quality of psychological health, and the quality of social relationships, favouring the web-based intervention, and changes in expressed emotion in the family context, caregiver burden, perceived stress, and the quality of the environment, supporting the workshop intervention.
Conclusions: There was a difference in initial feasibility of the web intervention. A future large-scale trial of these interventions is supported by the results of this feasibility study.
Keywords: caregiver; eating disorders; education; feasibility.
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.