[Family-oriented group therapy in the treatment of female patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa--a pilot study].
OBJECTIVE
Family therapy has proven effective in the treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) in adolescence. While cognitive-behavioural treatment has been shown to be effective in adult patients suffering from BN, there have been few studies on the effectiveness of psychotherapy in the treatment of adolescents. Since in the majority of AN patients their illness starts in mid-adolescence, and in late adolescence in BN patients, it is crucial to develop and evaluate treatment programmes for these disorders and age groups. In view of these arguments, a programme of group psychotherapy was set up for eating-disordered patients and their parents, combining disorder-specific psychoeducational components with a family group psychotherapy approach that is more open with regard to individual treatment goals. Patients participated together with their parents in the same group.


METHODS
The treatment programme was evaluated within the framework of a naturalistic single-group study design. Pre-post changes were assessed.


RESULTS
32 female patients (29 with AN, 3 with BN) and their parents took part in the treatment programme. All of the families completed the programme, which was interpreted as a high rate of acceptance. Pre-post analysis revealed a decrease in the degree of eating-disorder symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The advantages and disadvantages of this treatment programme, as well as the limitations of the pilot study are critically discussed.
Salbach
Harriet
H
Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin. harriet.salbach@charite.de
Bohnekamp
Inga
I
Lehmkuhl
Ulrike
U
Pfeiffer
Ernst
E
Korte
Alexander
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome