Felipe Alckmin-Carvalho, Juliana Bergamo Vega, Alicia Weisz Cobelo, Alessandra Donzelli Fabbri, Vanessa Dentzien Pinzon
Eating Disorders Outpatient and Inpatient Program, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division (PROTAD/SEPIA), Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Márcia Helena da Silva Melo
Clinical Psychology Program, Institute of Psychology, University of Sao Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Institution where the work was conducted: Clinical Psychology Program, Institute of Psychology, University of Sao Paulo (USP). Eating Disorders Outpatient and Inpatient Program, Child and Adolescent, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo (PROTAD-IPq-HC-FMUSP). Rua Dr. Ovídio Pires de Campos, 785. Zip: 05403-903 – Cerqueira César São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Abstract:

Background: Efficacy studies on the treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN) in childhood and adolescence are scarce and systematic reviews are almost non-existent. Objective: Systematic review of the literature regarding the modalities of psychological intervention based on evidence used in the treatment of AN in childhood and adolescence. Methods: The research was carried out in the databases: PubMed, PsycINFO and Cochrane, using the combined keywords: anorexia nervosa and evidence-based therapy. Articles published between 1990 and 2015 were assessed. Results: Of the 139 eligible articles, 14 were selected, of which 10 (71.4%) were conducted in the United States and England. The sample ranged from 9 to 167 participants. Randomized Clinical Trial represented the most frequent design (n = 9; 63.4%), with more than half of the interventions structured in 20 or more sessions (n = 9, 64.3%). Nine types of treatments were tested, with the most tested being Family-Based Treatment (FBT) (n = 7; 50%). Interventions involving the family seem to be more effective, however, the rates for complete remission are modest. Discussion: Although evidence of efficacy was verified in the treatments analyzed, the limited number of studies, the various methodological limitations and the methodological heterogeneity between studies make the findings inconclusive.

Keywords:Anorexia nervosa, treatment, adolescence, systematic review, evidence-based psychotherapy.