Advances in the treatment of anorexia nervosa: a review of established and emerging interventions

Abstract

Evidence generation on the treatment of AN has dramatically accelerated, with our understanding of the role of family-based approaches for adolescents more nuanced and a range of psychological approaches available for the treatment of adults. Evidence on emerging treatments and from forthcoming trials suggests that there is a shift towards more targeted brain-based interventions. Future studies need to focus on elucidating mechanisms of action of treatments and what works best for whom.

A randomized controlled trial of group cognitive remediation therapy for anorexia nervosa: Effects on set‐shifting tasks for inpatient adults and adolescents

“…High dropout rates have been identified as a major barrier to treatment success (DeJong, Broadbent, & Schmidt, 2012). As a result, there have been efforts to develop novel interventions (for review, see Brockmeyer, Friederich, & Schmidt, 2018), some of which complement the extant therapies and aim to improve adherence and effectiveness.…”

Perfectionism and cognitive rigidity in anorexia nervosa: Is there an association?

“…Several studies explored the possibility that cognitive rigidity could be an endophenotype of anorexia nervosa (AN; Talbot, Hay, Buckett, & Touyz, ), a complex mental illness whose pathogenesis is largely unknown (Brockmeyer, Friederich, & Schmidt, ). Set shifting has been investigated as an endophenotype also because AN patients consistently showed inefficient and stable set‐shifting abilities (Abbate‐Daga et al, ; Abbate‐Daga, Buzzichelli, Marzola, Amianto, & Fassino, ; Aloi et al, ; Tchanturia et al, ; Westwood, Stahl, Mandy, & Tchanturia, ).…”

Are socio‐emotional and neurocognitive functioning predictors of therapeutic outcomes for adults with anorexia nervosa?

“…Talking therapies are widely seen as the treatment of choice for AN, with treatment of adults, where the disorder is typically well established or longstanding, regarded as particularly difficult to treat. The last 5 years has seen a vast improvement in available treatment evidence for adults with AN, with a number of large scale trials of different psychological interventions published (Brockmeyer, Friederich, & Schmidt, ). Several of the treatments targeted in recent trials, such as cognitive behavioural therapy for eating disorders, Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA), and focal psychodynamic therapy, are now recommended by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines as first‐line treatments for AN in the United Kingdom (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, ) and focus on putative illness, maintaining factors such as socio‐emotional and neurocognitive factors (Zipfel et al, ; Schmidt et al, ; Byrne et al, ).…”