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.


OBJECTIVE
To assess effectiveness of specific psychotherapies in out-patient management of adult patients with anorexia nervosa.


METHODS
Eighty-four patients were randomised 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.
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London.
C
C
Dare
I
I
Eisler
G
G
Russell
J
J
Treasure
L
L
Dodge
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods*; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome