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

Treatment of Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 1

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00149786

Enrollment

120

Registered

2005-09-08

Start date

2004-10-31

Completion date

2009-03-31

Last updated

2012-04-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Eating Disorders

Keywords

Anorexia Nervosa, Adolescents, Family therapy, Individual therapy

Brief summary

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

Detailed 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.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALFamily Based Therapy

Family therapy will be given for a total of 24 hours over the course of 12 months.

BEHAVIORALEgo-Oriented Individual Psychotherapy

Individual therapy will be given for a total of 24 hours over the course of 12 months.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

12 Years to 18 Years

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

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Scores on the Eating Disorders Examination	Measured at Year 1 of treatment and Year 1 of follow-up

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 30, 2026