Clinical trial NCT00149786: Effectiveness of Family-Based Versus Individual Psychotherapy in Treating Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa
Official title: Treatment of Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: PHASE1
Conditions: Eating Disorders
Keywords: Anorexia Nervosa
Adolescents
Family therapy
Individual therapy
Lead sponsor: Stanford University
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
First posted: 2005-09-08
Enrollment: 120
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 12
Maximum age (years): 18
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: This study will compare the effectiveness of family-based therapy versus individual psychotherapy for the treatment of adolescent anorexia nervosa.

Detailed description: In adolescents, anorexia nervosa severely affects physical, emotional, and social development. Despite the seriousness and prevalence of adolescent anorexia nervosa, few studies have focused on the effectiveness of various types of psychotherapy treatment. Family-based therapy may be an effective approach to treating adolescent anorexia nervosa. This study will compare the effectiveness of family-based therapy versus ego-oriented individual psychotherapy for the treatment of adolescent anorexia nervosa. Simultaneously, it will examine potential predictors, mediators, and moderators of weight gain, psychological concerns about weight and shape, and changes in family functioning.

Participants in this open-label study will be randomly assigned to receive one of two types of therapy: family-based therapy or ego-oriented individual psychotherapy. Both types of therapy will be given for a total of 24 hours over the course of 12 months. Physical and psychological assessments will be completed during study visits at baseline, immediately post-treatment, six months post-treatment, and one year post-treatment. Amount of weight gain will be evaluated, along with changes in weight and body shape concerns, as measured by the Eating Disorder Examination.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Meets DSM-IV criteria for anorexia nervosa
* Lives with at least one parent who is willing to participate
* Medically stable
* Adequate transportation to clinic
* Proficient at speaking, reading, and writing English

Exclusion Criteria:

* Currently undergoing treatment or taking medication that may affect eating or weight

Primary outcomes:
measure: Scores on the Eating Disorders Examination
timeFrame: Measured at Year 1 of treatment and Year 1 of follow-up
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Chicago
country: United States
facility: The University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine
state: Illinois
Study officials:
affiliation: Stanford University
name: James D. Lock, MD, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Le Grange D, Lock J, Accurso EC, Agras WS, Darcy A, Forsberg S, Bryson SW. Relapse from remission at two- to four-year follow-up in two treatments for adolescent anorexia nervosa. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2014 Nov;53(11):1162-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2014.07.014. Epub 2014 Aug 23.
citation: Lock J, Le Grange D, Agras WS, Moye A, Bryson SW, Jo B. Randomized clinical trial comparing family-based treatment with adolescent-focused individual therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2010 Oct;67(10):1025-32. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.128.