Randomized controlled trial of cognitive remediation therapy in adolescent inpatients with anorexia nervosa: Neuropsychological outcomes

Objective Neuropsychological dysfunction exists in anorexia nervosa (AN). Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT), mainly evaluated in adults with AN, targets these impairments. Methods Adolescent inpatients (age = 11-17 years) with AN were randomized to 5 weeks of either 10 sessions of individually delivered CRT or non-specific cognitive-training (NSCT). Co-primary outcomes included cognitive domain 'flexibility' [composite score of Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WSCT) and Trail Making Test (TMT-4)] and 'central coherence' [composite score of Central Coherence Index (CCI) and Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT)] at end of treatment (FU1). Secondary outcomes included individual test scores and self-reported everyday-life flexibility at FU1 and at 6-months post-treatment (FU2). Independent sample t-tests, Pearson chi-square-tests and mixed models for repeated measures (MMRM) analyses were conducted. Results In 56 females (age = 15.1 +/- 1.5 years), CRT was not superior to NSCT at FU1 regarding 'flexibility' (p = 0.768) or 'central coherence' (p = 0.354), nor at FU2 (p = 0.507; p = 0.624) (effect sizes = 0.02-0.26). Both groups improved over time in central coherence (CCI p = 0.001; GEFT p < 0.001), self-reported flexibility (p = 0.002) and WCST (p = 0.18), but not TMT-4 (p = 0.286). NSCT was superior to CRT regarding self-reported planning/organisation ability at FU1 (p < 0.001) and FU2 (p = 0.003). Conclusions CRT was not superior to NSCT in adolescent inpatients with AN. More randomized controlled studies are needed.