There was no superiority of a specific approach .
Weight gains were more rapid in adolescents and inpatient treatment .
Background : The aim of the study was a systematic review of studies evaluating psychotherapeutic treatment approaches in anorexia nervosa and to compare their efficacy .
Weight gain was chosen as the primary outcome criterion .
We also aim ed to compare treatment effects according to service level ( inpatient vs. outpatient ) and age group ( adolescents vs. adults ) .
Clinical effectiveness of treatments for anorexia nervosa in adolescents: randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND Treatment guidelines identify few adequately powered trials to guide recommendations for anorexia nervosa . AIMS To evaluate the effectiveness of three readily available National Health Service treatments for adolescents ( aged 12 - 18 years ) with anorexia nervosa . METHOD Multicentre r and omised controlled trial of 167 young people comparing in-patient , specialist out-patient and general child and adolescent mental health service ( CAMHS ) treatment .  RESULTS Each group made considerable progress at 1 year , with further improvement by 2 years . Full recovery rates were poor ( 33 % at 2 years , 27 % still with anorexia nervosa ) . Adherence to in-patient treatment was only 50 % . Neither in-patient nor specialist out-patient therapy demonstrated advantages over general CAMHS treatment by intention to treat , although some CAMHS out- patients were subsequently admitted on clinical grounds . In-patient treatment ( r and omised or after out-patient transfer ) predicted poor outcomes . CONCLUSIONS First-line in-patient psychiatric treatment does not provide advantages over out-patient management . Out-patient treatment failures do very poorly on transfer to in-patient facilities
There was no superiority of a specific approach .
Weight gains were more rapid in adolescents and inpatient treatment .
Background : The aim of the study was a systematic review of studies evaluating psychotherapeutic treatment approaches in anorexia nervosa and to compare their efficacy .
Weight gain was chosen as the primary outcome criterion .
We also aim ed to compare treatment effects according to service level ( inpatient vs. outpatient ) and age group ( adolescents vs. adults ) .