Comparing the Effectiveness of Three Types of Therapy for the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa in Adolescents

Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 2

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00183586

Enrollment

121

Registered

2005-09-16

Start date

2004-04-30

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2016-06-20

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

Conditions

Eating Disorders

Keywords

Treatment outcomes study, Anorexia, Anorexia nervosa

Brief summary

This study will compare specific family therapy, standard family systems therapy, and standard individual psychotherapy to determine which is most effective in treating 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 specific family therapy (FT), standard family systems therapy (FS), and standard individual psychotherapy (IT) to determine which is most effective in treating adolescent anorexia nervosa. The study also aims to determine potential predictors and moderators of outcomes, as well as the cost-benefit ratio of each treatment. Participants in this open-label study will be randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. Group 1 will receive FT, Group 2 will receive FS, and Group 3 will receive IT. All participants will receive a total of 24 hours of their assigned therapy over a period of 12 months. Study visits will occur at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and again six months and one year post-intervention. Weight change will be assessed, as well as changes in concerns about weight and shape. The cost-benefit ratio of the treatments will also be evaluated.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALFamily therapy (FT)

FT is a family-based treatment that will be given for a total of 24 hours over the course of 12 months.

BEHAVIORALIndividual therapy (IT)

IT is an ego-oriented psychotherapy treatment that will be given for a total of 24 hours over the course of 12 months.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

12 Years to 18 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (4th Edition) (DSM-IV) criteria for anorexia nervosa

Exclusion criteria

* Any psychotic illness

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Weight (BMI)	Measured at end-of-treatment and Months 6 and 12 post-treatment

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Changes in shape and weight concerns as measured with Eating Disorder Examination subscales	Measured at end-of-treatment and Months 6 and 12 post-treatment

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026