Research
At MCCAED, research is at the very core of our work. We’ve conducted groundbreaking studies in the field of child and adolescent eating disorders, which have in turn allowed us to advance highly innovative treatment models. Some of the pioneering therapies that were developed right here at the Maudsley Centre include Maudsley Family Therapy and Multi-Family Therapy.
Almost every aspect of our clinical practice is informed by scientific evidence gathered through extensive research. Young people and families accessing our service are routinely given the opportunity to take part in audits of treatment outcomes. We tend to conduct our studies in clinical, educational and community settings; our findings allow us to identify areas of need and to continuously improve the efficacy of the treatments we offer our patients. This ensures that they have access to the very best care available.
Our research team collaborates closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London.
Current studies
We frequently recruit young people with eating disorders to take part in important studies. If you know a young patient who could contribute to this research, or you simply want to learn more about our work, please view our current studies below. Some of these are run in close collaboration with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurosciences at King’s College London. We will often offer participants small financial incentives (such as gift vouchers).
Once you’ve registered your interest in any of our research projects, you may be contacted by one of our researchers, who will provide you with more details.
The BEACON project
The BEACON project is investigating the impact of autistic traits on recovery from anorexia in females aged 12-25 years, and whether any structural differences exist in the brains of people with more or fewer traits. The team uses Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) techniques to measure these. This study is conducted is being conducted in collaboration with King’s College London.
Participants will be asked to complete some questionnaires, an interview and an fMRI scan. Six months later, we will send them follow-up questionnaires. Taking part in the entire study can earn each patient up to £60.
We are recruiting patients with anorexia, people who have recovered from anorexia, and healthy controls. Contributors must be female, aged 12 to 25, and right-handed.
For full information please contact daniel.j.halls@kcl.ac.uk or kate.tchanturia@kcl.ac.uk
The Virtual Reality study
We are looking for people aged 14+ with anorexia nervosa / atypical anorexia nervosa for virtual reality research. The study explores how virtual reality technology could be used as a tool to support people experiencing negative emotions around food. Participation involves one visit to our research lab (103 Denmark Hill), for one hour. You would be invited to complete a survey, a virtual reality experience and an optional brief interview to give feedback.
See our short video animation for more information: https://vimeo.com/user64603827/review/644562021/1cafafaa39
For more information please contact: katie.rowlands@kcl.ac.uk
The OPEN study
Olanzapine has been successfully used for decades in the clinical treatment of anorexia. However, research is lacking in this area.
OPEN is a study to investigate the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy and safety of prescribing olanzapine for young people (aged 12-24 years old) with anorexia nervosa and atypical anorexia nervosa.
Participants who would be normally considered for taking olanzapine, are invited to attend appointments at the start of treatment with olanzapine, and 8 weeks, 16 weeks, 6 months and 12 months following. They will be asked to complete some questionnaires, participate in 2 interviews about the experience of taking part in the study and their treatment. Participants will be reimbursed for taking part in the study up to £40.
We are recruiting patients with anorexia nervosa and atypical anorexia nervosa aged 12-24 years old, who are in outpatient, inpatient or day care and who would be considered for treatment with olanzapine.
For more information please contact: olena.said@kcl.ac.uk or hubertus.himmerich@kcl.ac.uk
Selected publications
The publications below, authored by MCCAED practitioners, have been instrumental in the development of new therapies, and have been influential within the global scientific community. The topics explored reflect our team’s expertise in treatment development, and the cognitive psychology and neurobiology of eating disorders.
A randomized controlled treatment trial of two forms of family therapy in adolescent anorexia nervosa: A five-year follow-up
Eisler, I., Simic, M., Russell, G. F. M., & Dare, C. (2007). Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 48 (6), 552–560.
Intensive treatment program (ITP): A case series service evaluation of the effectiveness of day patient treatment for adolescents with a restrictive eating disorder
Simic, M., Stewart, C. S., Eisler, I., Baudinet, J., Hunt, K., O’Brien, J., & McDermott, B. (2018). International Journal of Eating Disorders, 51(11), 1261-1269.
Multi-family therapy for Bulimia Nervosa in Adolescence.
Stewart, C.S., Voulgari, S., Eisler, I., Hunt, K. & Simic, M. (2015). Eating Disorders, 23(4), 345-355.
A pragmatic randomised multi-centre trial of multifamily and single family therapy for adolescent anorexia nervosa.
Eisler, I., Simic, M., Hodsoll, J., Asen, E., Berelowitz, M., Connan, F., Ellis, G., Hugo, P., Schmidt, U., Treasure, J. & Yi, I. (2016). BMC Psychiatry, 16(1), 422.
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-016-1129-6
Resource library
Supplement your research with our in-depth archive of videos, books, publications, training manuals and websites.
