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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Kaplan
Allan S
AS
Toronto General Hospital/University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, EN 8-231, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4.
D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005473:Fluoxetine