Effectiveness of Family-Based Versus Individual Psychotherapy in Treating Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa

Stanford University

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 1

Conditions: Eating Disorders

Treatments: Behavioral: Ego-Oriented Individual Psychotherapy; Behavioral: Family Based Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT00149786

R01MH070621 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

DDTR B4-ARE

Details and patient eligibility

About

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

Full 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.

Enrollment: 120 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 12 to 18 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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120 participants in 2 patient groups

1

Experimental group

Description:

Those adolescents receiving family based therapy

Treatment:

Behavioral: Family Based Therapy

2

Active Comparator group

Description:

Those adolescents receiving individual therapy

Treatment:

Behavioral: Ego-Oriented Individual Psychotherapy