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

Phase 2

Completed

• Conditions: Eating Disorders
• Interventions: Behavioral: Individual therapy (IT); Behavioral: Family therapy (FT)

• Registration Number: NCT00183586
• Lead Sponsor: University of Chicago

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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2004-04
• Study First Submitted: 2005-09-13
• Study First Submitted QC: 2005-09-13
• Study First Posted: 2005-09-16
• Primary Completion: 2009-03
• Status Verified: 2016-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2016-06-16
• Last Update Posted: 2016-06-20

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 121

Inclusion Criteria

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

Exclusion Criteria

• Any psychotic illness

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
2	Individual therapy (IT)	Participants will receive individual adolescent focused therapy
1	Family therapy (FT)	Participants will receive family-based treatment

Primary Outcome Measures

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

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
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

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The University of Chicago; 🇺🇸 Chicago, Illinois, United States