Outpatient group therapy for anorexia nervosa: a preliminary study

Abstract

Group therapy is generally recognized as an important form of psychotherapy for anorexia nervosa patients, but there are few controlled studies of its effectiveness. The aim of the current study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for the treatment of anorexia nervosa in outpatients. Twenty-six outpatients with anorexia nervosa, were assessed for depression (BDI, Beck Depression Inventory), eating psychopathology (EDI, Eating Disorders Inventory), eating attitudes (EAT, Eating Attitudes Test) and weight at the beginning and at the end of the treatment and at one year follow-up. Our results substantiate the effectiveness of the CBT approach as a treatment and also at one year follow-up. Good EAT scores were observed in 70% of our cases after the treatment and in 60% at follow-up. Further research should assess the effectiveness of therapeutic groups more intensively because of their economic advantages.