Abstract
Abstract Background: Efficacy studies on the treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN) in childhood and adolescence are scarce and systematic reviews are almost non-existent. Objective: Systematic review of the literature regarding the modalities of psychological intervention based on evidence used in the treatment of AN in childhood and adolescence. Methods: The research was carried out in the databases: PubMed, PsycINFO and Cochrane, using the combined keywords: anorexia nervosa and evidence-based therapy. Articles published between 1990 and 2015 were assessed. Results: Of the 139 eligible articles, 14 were selected, of which 10 (71.4%) were conducted in the United States and England. The sample ranged from 9 to 167 participants. Randomized Clinical Trial represented the most frequent design (n = 9; 63.4%), with more than half of the interventions structured in 20 or more sessions (n = 9, 64.3%). Nine types of treatments were tested, with the most tested being Family-Based Treatment (FBT) (n = 7; 50%). Interventions involving the family seem to be more effective, however, the rates for complete remission are modest. Discussion: Although evidence of efficacy was verified in the treatments analyzed, the limited number of studies, the various methodological limitations and the methodological heterogeneity between studies make the findings inconclusive.
Highlights
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder often initiated in adolescence, which causes severe disturbances to the eating behavior, resulting in damages that compromise the physical health and the psychosocial functioning of the individual[1]
The purpose of this review is to describe the evidence-based psychological interventions in the literature for the treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN) in childhood and adolescence
Based on the results of this systematic review it was possible to outline the evidence-based studies for the psychotherapeutic treatment of AN in childhood and adolescence
Summary
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder often initiated in adolescence, which causes severe disturbances to the eating behavior, resulting in damages that compromise the physical health and the psychosocial functioning of the individual[1]. Due to the complex interaction of clinical and psychiatric problems, with emphasis on the ambivalent attitudes of patients and their families towards treatment[8,10], there are significant obstacles that moderate the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions and contribute to a limited number of studies in the area[11,12]. Efficacy studies on the treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN) in childhood and adolescence are scarce and systematic reviews are almost non-existent. Objective: Systematic review of the literature regarding the modalities of psychological intervention based on evidence used in the treatment of AN in childhood and adolescence.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
