NCT04450771

Confirming the Efficacy/Mechanism of Family Therapy for Children With Low Weight ARFID

Completed NA Last updated 2 February 2026

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Family-based Treatment for ARFID in Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder in 98 participants. Completed in 16 January 2026.

Timeline

1 December 2020

Primary endpoint
13 July 2025

16 January 2026

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	Stanford University
Phase	NA
Status	Completed
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	randomized
Design	parallel
Masking	single
Primary purpose	treatment
Enrollment	98
Start date	1 December 2020
Primary completion	13 July 2025
Estimated completion	16 January 2026
Sites	1 location across United States

Drugs / interventions tested

• Family-based Treatment for ARFID
• Manualized Non-Specific Usual Care for ARFID

Conditions studied

• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder — all drugs for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder →

Sponsor

Stanford University

Who can join

Adults 6 to 12, any sex, with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

This study is examining the efficacy and mechanism of family therapy compared to usual care for children between the ages of 6 and 12 who are diagnosed with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. Preliminary data suggest that family therapy is superior to usual care and that improvement in parental self-efficacy related to feeding their children is the mechanism of treatment. In addition, this study will attempt to identify specific patient groups who respond to family therapy.

Publications & conference data

4 peer-reviewed publications reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. Protocol for a randomized clinical trial for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in low-weight youth.
   Van Wye E, Matheson B, Citron K, Yang HJ, et al · · 2023 · cited 6× · PMID 36460266 · DOI 10.1016/j.cct.2022.107036
2. Pilot Case Series Studying a Psychoeducational and Motivational Treatment for Children With Low-Weight Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.
   Matheson B, Datta N, Van Wye E, Yang HJ, et al · · 2024 · cited 5× · PMID 39120094 · DOI 10.1002/eat.24273
3. Family vs Individual Treatment for Children With Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
   Lock J, Matheson B, Jo B, Bohon C, et al · · 2026 · PMID 42019720 · DOI 10.1016/j.jaac.2026.04.007
4. Family-Based Treatment for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: Last-Session Reflections.
   Datta N, Boyce H, West C, Liu A, et al · · 2026 · PMID 41897987 · DOI 10.3390/bs16030325