Rhodes Wood are proud to be part of ongoing leading evidence based research on Eating Disorders in children. Clinical Psychologists, Dr Lucia Giombini and Dr Sophie Nesbitt, in collaboration with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, have published their findings on psychological therapy for young people with anorexia nervosa.
Young people and parents’ views towards individual cognitive remediation therapy – qualitative findings from a feasibility randomised controlled trial
Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) is a psychological therapeutic intervention that can be used in those suffering from anorexia nervosa. Much of the current research focuses on how these treatments can better the lives of adults. However, with a growing concern over youth remission with anorexia, as high as 50-70%, this study aims to improve CRT application to younger people.
One of the traits of anorexia is the ability to focus on details, but a reduced ability to change perspective, to switch focus from one task to the other, and to think about the bigger picture. The aim of CRT is to allow greater flexibility of the thinking styles and problem solving strategies.
The present study is a pilot randomized controlled trail and it offered individual CRT in an inpatient hospital for young people, aged 8 to 18, with anorexia nervosa. The study aimed to explore the feasibility of using this type of therapy going forward, and also to explore patient satisfaction and their view towards CRT to further improve the implementation in younger patients. Parents were also asked their perceptions of CRT.
Ultimately, the study found that both young people and their parents valued CRT for its engaging and practical nature. The focus on thinking styles was also widely appreciated. Parents expressed that they would like to be involved in the sessions to learn more about their thinking styles and problem solving strategies to further support their children at home.
References
Giombini, L., Nesbitt, S., Kusosa, R., Hinallas, K., Fabian, C., Easter, A., & Tchanturia, K. (2022). Young people and parents’ views towards individual cognitive remediation therapy–qualitative findings from a feasibility randomised controlled trial. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 1-8.
Neuropsychological and clinical findings of Cognitive Remediation Therapy feasibility randomised controlled trial in young people with anorexia nervosa
In recent research, there has been an increasing focus on the use of cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) as a form of psychological intervention for anorexia nervosa. With the namely benefits of CRT, it has been shown to improve abstract thinking and changing perspectives when encountering different situations, which in turn also enhances future thinking and goal setting.
CRT skills have been highlighted as highly transferrable which can be utilised in everyday life to cope with the eating disorder which ultimately improves quality-of-life. The current study is a pilot randomized controlled trial and it examined the effectiveness of CRT as a form of treatment in an inpatient eating disorder service for young people aged between 8 and 18. Participants in this study were provided with an eight-week cycle of CRT alongside standard treatment.
Half of the participants received CRT at the beginning of the treatment programme and the rest were provided with CRT at the later stages of the programme. Results indicated that CRT is a feasible intervention that can be employed in an inpatient setting.
Overall, positive effects were observed when provided alongside standard treatment for anorexia nervosa at the hospital. These were effects on the ability to switch focus between tasks and the ability to look at the ‘bigger picture’. Results also highlighted the importance of screening for autism spectrum condition traits upon admission, in order to provide a tailored CRT content.
Reference
Giombini, L., Nesbitt, S., Kusosa, R., Fabian, C., Sharia, T., Easter, A., & Tchanturia, K. (2022). Neuropsychological and clinical findings of Cognitive Remediation Therapy feasibility randomised controlled trial in young people with anorexia nervosa. European Eating Disorders Review, 30(1), 50-60.