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 ) .
Is outpatient cognitive remediation therapy feasible to use in randomized clinical trials for anorexia nervosa?
OBJECTIVE There are limited data supporting specific treatments for adults with anorexia nervosa ( AN ) . R and omized clinical trials ( RCTs ) for adults with AN are characterized by high attrition limiting the feasibility of conducting and interpreting existing studies . High dropout rates may be related to the inflexible and obsessional cognitive style of patients with AN . This study evaluated the feasibility of using cognitive remediation therapy ( CRT ) to reduce attrition in RCTs for AN . METHOD Forty-six participants ( mean age of 22.7 years and mean duration of AN of 6.4 years ) were r and omized to receive eight sessions of either CRT or cognitive behavioral therapy ( CBT ) over 2 months followed by 16 sessions of CBT for 4 months . RESULTS During the 2-month CRT vs. CBT  treatment , rates of attrition were lower in CRT ( 13 % ) compared with that of CBT ( 33 % ) . There were greater improvements in cognitive inefficiencies in the CRT compared with that of the CBT group at the end of 2 months . There were no differences in other outcomes . DISCUSSION These results suggest that CRT is acceptable and feasible for use in RCTs for outpatient treatment of AN . CRT may reduce attrition in the short term . Adequately powered future studies are needed to examine CRT as an outpatient treatment for AN
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 ) .