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 ) .
Treating severe and enduring anorexia nervosa: a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND There are no evidence -based treatments for severe and enduring anorexia nervosa ( SE-AN ) . This study evaluated the relative efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy ( CBT-AN ) and specialist supportive clinical management ( SSCM ) for adults with SE-AN . METHOD Sixty-three participants with a diagnosis of AN , who had at least a 7-year illness history , were treated in a multi-site r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) . During 30 out-patient visits spread over 8 months , they received either CBT-AN or SSCM , both modified for SE-AN . Participants were assessed at baseline , end of treatment ( EOT ) , and at 6- and 12-month post-treatment follow-ups . The main outcome measures were quality of life , mood disorder symptoms and social adjustment . Weight , eating disorder ( ED ) psychopathology , motivation for change and health-care burden were secondary outcomes . RESULTS Thirty-one participants were r and omized to CBT-AN and 32 to SSCM with a retention rate of 85 % achieved at the end of the study . At EOT and follow-up , both groups showed significant improvement . There were no differences between treatment groups at EOT . At the 6-month follow-up , CBT-AN participants had higher scores on the Weissman Social Adjustment Scale ( WSAS ; p = 0.038 ) and at 12 months they had lower Eating Disorder Examination ( EDE ) global scores ( p = 0.004 ) and higher readiness for recovery ( p = 0.013 ) compared to SSCM . CONCLUSIONS Patients with SE-AN can make meaningful improvements with both therapies . Both treatments were acceptable and high retention rates at follow-up were achieved . Between-group differences at follow-up were consistent with the nature of the treatments given
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 ) .