Neuropsychological and Behavioural Short-Term Effects of Cognitive Remediation Therapy in Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE

Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) aims to strengthen weak cognitive flexibility and central coherence in adult and adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN). Currently, there are no studies in adolescents with AN that control for learning effects because of re-testing while evaluating CRT.

METHOD: Twenty in- and outpatients with AN aged 12 to 18 years received CRT. Assessment took place directly before and after the intervention. Performance was compared to 20 age-, gender-, IQ-, and test-retest interval matched healthy controls, which did not receive CRT.

RESULTS

AN patients showed an improvement in flexibility on neuropsychological assessment directly after CRT, whereas HC did not improve over time. Self-report assessment of flexibility, as well as central coherence, did not show significant improvement after CRT.

DISCUSSION: Results suggest that CRT may be beneficial for enhancing flexibility in adolescents with AN. However, randomized controlled studies are essential to determine the actual efficacy of this intervention.