Treatment of avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder in an older adult: A proof-of-concept case study

ObjectiveCognitive behavioral therapy for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID; CBT-AR) is an emerging treatment for ARFID. However, this treatment modality has yet to be examined among older adults (e.g., older than 50 years) or with adults presenting with feeding tubes. To inform future versions of CBT-AR, we present the results of a singular case study (G) of an older male with the sensory sensitivity phenotype of ARFID who presented for treatment with a gastrostomy tube. MethodsG was a 71-year-old male who completed eight sessions of CBT-AR in a doctoral training clinic. ARFID symptom severity and comorbid eating pathology changes were examined pre- and post-treatment. ResultsPosttreatment, G reported significant decreases in ARFID symptom severity and no longer met diagnostic criteria for ARFID. Furthermore, throughout treatment, G reported significant increases in his oral food consumption (vs. calories being pushed through the feeding tube), solid food consumption, and the feeding tube was ultimately removed. DiscussionThis study provides proof of concept that CBT-AR is potentially effective for older adults and/or those presenting for treatment with feeding tubes. Validation of patient efforts and severity of ARFID symptoms emerged as core to treatment success and should be emphasized when training clinicians in CBT-AR. Public SignificanceCognitive behavior therapy for ARFID (CBT-AR) is the leading treatment for this disorder; however, it has yet to be tested among older adults or those with feeding tubes. This single-patient case study demonstrates that CBT-AR may be efficacious in reducing ARFID symptom severity among older adults with a feeding tube.