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 ) .
The Effectiveness of Cognitive Remediation Therapy in Patients with a Severe or Enduring Eating Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Background : Individuals with eating disorders show deficits in neuropsychological functioning which might preexist and underlie the etiology of the eating disorders and influence relapse . Deficits in cognitive flexibility , i.e. set-shifting and central coherence , might perpetuate the symptoms . Cognitive remediation therapy ( CRT ) was developed to improve cognitive flexibility , thereby increasing the likelihood of improved outcome . The focus of CRT is on how patients think , rather than on what patients think . The present study investigated the effectiveness of  CRT  for patients with a severe or enduring eating disorder by means of a r and omized controlled trial comparing intensive treatment as usual ( TAU ) to CRT plus TAU . Methods : Eighty-two patients were r and omly assigned to CRT plus TAU ( n = 41 ) or TAU alone ( n = 41 ) . Outcome measures were set-shifting , central coherence , eating disorder and general psychopathology , motivation , quality of life and self-esteem . Assessment s were performed at baseline ( n = 82 ) and after 6 weeks ( T1 ; n = 75 ) and 6 months ( T2 ; n = 67 ) . Data were analyzed by means of linear mixed model analyses . Results : Patients who received CRT in addition to TAU improved significantly more with regard to eating disorder-related quality of life at the end of treatment ( T1 ) and eating disorder psychopathology at follow-up ( T2 ) , compared to those who received TAU only . Moreover , moderator analyses revealed that patients with poor baseline set-shifting abilities benefited more from CRT than patients with no deficits in set-shifting abilities at baseline ; the quality of life of the former group was higher than that of the latter at follow-up . Conclusions : CRT seems to be promising in enhancing the effectiveness of concurrent treatment
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 ) .