Predictors of Treatment Acceptance and of Participation in a Randomized Controlled Trial Among Women with Anorexia Nervosa

Objective This study aimed to identify predictors of acceptance of intensive treatment and of participation in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) among women with anorexia nervosa (AN). Method Participant data were drawn from a tertiary care intensive treatment programme including a previously published RCT. Women with AN (N = 106) were offered intensive treatment, and 69 were approached to participate in an RCT of olanzapine's efficacy as an adjunctive treatment for AN. AN subtype and pretreatment psychological variables were used to predict acceptance of intensive treatment and RCT participation. Results AN binge purge subtype and higher depression and body dissatisfaction predicted intensive treatment acceptance. No variable predicted RCT participation among treatment acceptors. Discussion Clinicians may focus on enhancing motivation or use a stepped care approach to increase intensive treatment acceptance especially among women with AN-restricting type and among all those with AN who have lower levels of distress. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.