Psychological Treatments for Adult Patients with Anorexia Nervosa in Korea: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE

International treatment guidelines recommend psychotherapy as the first-line treatment for anorexia nervosa (AN). Adaptation of Western evidence-based treatments to different cultures through personalization has become increasingly important, but evidence remains limited. This study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of AN outpatient psychotherapies in Korea.

METHODS

A total of 160 adult patients diagnosed with AN (mean age = 25.3 years) were recruited from an eating disorder (ED) clinic in Korea. They received one of the following psychotherapy programs: motivational enhancement therapy with nutrition (MET with nutrition) (n = 47); Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA) augmented by New Maudsley Model for Collaborative Care (NMCC) (n = 20); or Specialist Supportive Clinical Management (SSCM) (n = 93). Treatments were administered face-to-face by trained therapists, following protocols tailored to each individual. Demographic and ED-related clinical data were collected through standardized interviews and questionnaires at baseline and at the end of treatment.

RESULTS

Overall dropout rate was 40.3%, with a lower rate observed in MANTRA augmented by NMCC and SSCM than MET with nutrition. All three psychotherapies increased body mass index (BMI), with minimal group differences. Individuals with lower baseline BMI and those who attended more sessions experienced greater BMI increases across all psychotherapies.

CONCLUSION

Psychotherapies for AN were feasible and showed promise in terms of effectiveness among Korean patients. Despite comparable BMI increases, the therapies led by experienced therapists and with greater personalization had lower dropout rates. Further studies using randomized controlled trials are needed while controlling for variables outside treatments.