Group cognitive remediation therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa: Outcomes before,after,and during follow-up in a real-world setting in Japan

Abstract

Objective: Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) can be used as an adjunct treatment for adolescents with severe and complex anorexia nervosa (AN) requiring inpatient treatment. However, there has been only one study on CRT for adolescents with AN in Japan. This study explored group CRT as an adjunct to inpatient treatment for Japanese adolescents with severe and complex AN requiring inpatient care. Methods: Thirty-one adolescents with AN underwent group CRT. Neuropsychological (set-shifting and central coherence) and psychological assessments (motivation, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms) were measured before and after the intervention. Weight and AN symptoms were measured before and after the intervention and at follow-up, and the adolescents completed post-intervention and follow-up questionnaires. Results: Set-shifting led to medium to large effect size improvements. Medium effect size improvements in central coherence and depressive symptoms were also observed. The feedback from the adolescents was mainly positive, and the treatment completion rate was high. The patients also reported that the skills learned through group CRT could be applied in daily life. Conclusion: Group CRT may be beneficial for adolescents with severe and complex AN who require inpatient care.

Plain language summary

Why was this study done? Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) can be used as an adjunct treatment for adolescents with severe and complex anorexia nervosa (AN) requiring inpatient treatment. However, there has been only one study on CRT for adolescents with AN in Japan. This study explored group CRT as an additional inpatient treatment for adolescents with severe and complex AN requiring inpatient care in Japan. What did the researchers do? A total of 31 adolescents with AN underwent group CRT. Cognitive function and psychological parameters (motivation, self-efficacy, and depressive symptoms) were measured before and after group CRT. Body mass index and AN symptoms were evaluated before and after group CRT and at follow-up. The adolescents completed post-therapy and follow-up questionnaires. What did the researchers find? Cognitive function and depressive symptoms improved after group CRT. The feedback from the adolescents was mostly positive, and 29 of the 31 adolescents completed group CRT. Many adolescents also reported that they used the skills learned through group CRT in their daily lives. What do the findings mean? Group CRT may be beneficial for adolescents with severe and complex AN who require inpatient care.