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 ) .
Psychological therapies for adults with anorexia nervosa: randomised controlled trial of out-patient treatments.
BACKGROUND Currently , without systematic evidence , psychotherapy for anorexia nervosa in adults draws on psychodynamic , cognitive and systemic theories . AIMS To assess effectiveness of specific psychotherapies in out-patient management of adult patients with anorexia nervosa . METHOD Eighty-four patients were r and omised to four treatments : three specific psychotherapies - ( a ) a year of focal psychoanalytic psychotherapy ; ( b ) 7 months of cognitive-analytic therapy ( CAT ) ; ( c ) family therapy for 1 year - and ( d ) low contact , ' routine ' treatment for 1 year ( control ) . RESULTS At 1 year , there was symptomatic improvement in the whole group of patients . This improvement was modest , several patients being significantly undernourished at follow-up . Psychoanalytic psychotherapy and family therapy were significantly superior to the control treatment ; CAT tended to show benefits . CONCLUSIONS Psychoanalytic and family therapy are of specific value in the out-patient treatment of adult patients with anorexia
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 ) .