Autonomy-enhancing therapy for inpatient eating disorder care

The treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN) in inpatient settings faces significant
challenges, partic-ularly due to patients* initial low intrinsic motivation to
recover. Enhancing autonomous motiva-tion, where patients actively choose
recovery, is crucial for long-term success.
Autonomy-enhancing therapy (AET) and the concept of autonomy-connectedness (AC)
may address these issues. AC encompasses self-awareness, sensitivity to others,
and the ability to manage new situations, and AET strengthens a healthy
autonomy. By helping patients develop a stronger sense of self and explore
their personal values, AET could encourage greater auton-omy and engagement in
treatment.
Despite AET*s potential benefits, its use in the inpatient setting may seems to
be at odds with the need to adhere to mandatory treatment protocols and
treatment non-negotiables (Conti et al., 2020). However, reframing this
adherence as a healthy, autonomous request for help may provide a more
acceptable start of treatment. So, although AET may be a promising addition to
AN-treatment, its suitability for the inpatient setting remains to be
determined.

Primary Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of AET in the
inpatient treatment of AN through qualitative feedback from patients and
clinicians.
Secondary Objective(s): To identify autonomy-related interventions currently
already in use within the clinic and translate these into
autonomy-connectedness terms.

Qualitative acceptability and feasibility study, using semi-structured
interviews

Participants are already residing in the clinic, and the sessions will replace
regular treatment sessions, resulting in a low burden. Since this involves a
standard and evidence-based treatment method that has only not yet been tested
in this specific patient context, the risk is also low.