Follow‐up Assessment of Cognitive Remediation Therapy in Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa: A Pilot Study
European Eating Disorders Review
Published online on February 20, 2017
Abstract
Objective
Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) is a specialized treatment approach targeting cognitive weaknesses in anorexia nervosa (AN). Regarding follow‐up effects of CRT, there are only few studies available; for adolescents, there are no data.
Methods
Forty‐eight adolescents with AN were assigned to receive either CRT and treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU alone. Assessments were performed at baseline (n = 48) and compared with assessments at a 6‐month follow‐up (n = 33). Outcome measures were set‐shifting, central coherence, eating disorder and general psychopathology.
Results
The completion rate was higher in CRT compared with TAU. There were no significant differences in neuropsychological and clinical variables. Changes in body mass index percentile showed a trend towards significance for CRT. Dropout analyses revealed no significant predictors.
Conclusions
Results provide a first insight into follow‐up‐assessments of CRT in adolescent AN. More randomized controlled studies are needed to clarify the long‐term effects of CRT. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.