Psychological treatments for anorexia nervosa: A review of published studies and promising new directions

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TitlePsychological treatments for anorexia nervosa: A review of published studies and promising new directions
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2002
AuthorsKaplan, AS
JournalCanadian Journal of Psychiatry
Volume47
Pagination235-242
Date PublishedApr
Publication Languageeng
ISBN Number0706-7437 (Print)0706-7437 (Linking)
Accession Number11987474
KeywordsAnorexia Nervosa/*therapy, Combined Modality Therapy, Female, Fluoxetine/therapeutic use, Humans, Psychotherapy/*methods, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Treatment Outcome
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To review the existing literature on the psychological treatments for anorexia nervosa (AN), especially randomized clinical trials that have been published. In addition, new psychological approaches will be described. METHODS: An extensive literature review was conducted to identify the psychological treatment trials on AN that have been published over the past 3 decades. RESULTS: Fewer than 20 controlled clinical trials were identified, evaluating the effectiveness of various types of psychotherapy in AN treatment. Evidence for the effectiveness of these interventions, with the exception of family therapy for younger patients with shorter duration of illness, remains questionable. Promising new approaches include motivational enhancement therapy and psychotherapies aimed at relapse prevention. CONCLUSION: Currently, there is little empirical evidence on which to base treatment decisions regarding the psychological treatments for AN. There is a desperate need for further research in this area, especially examining relapse prevention and motivational enhancement strategies for AN.
URLhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=11987474
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