Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) for anorexia in group format: A pilot study

Abstract

Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) was designed to address the inflexible and detail focused thinking styles frequently reported in individuals with Anorexia Nervosa (AN). This paper reports the development and acceptability of a pilot of CRT for AN in group format. Four group sessions were designed and piloted with 30 patients in an eating disorder service. The voluntary drop out rate was 20%. Outcome measures targeting patients' self-reported cognitive flexibility, self esteem and motivation to change were completed in the first and last sessions. Statistically significant gains were found in self reported ability to change (p=0.03). Both patients and group facilitators found the group acceptable, useful and a positive experience.

A systematic review of cognitive remediation therapy for anorexia nervosa ¿ development, current state and implications for future research and clinical practice

“…We identified four studies with a distinct overlap with regards to feasibility and pre and post CRT assessments without control groups [52,53,74,75]. The least recent publication from 2007 [74], although using a very small sample (N = 4), represents the transition from the single case study format, to a novel study design where larger groups of patients are included, and where authors set out to investigate both feasibility and neuropsychological performance before and after the CRT.…”

“…The least recent publication from 2007 [74], although using a very small sample (N = 4), represents the transition from the single case study format, to a novel study design where larger groups of patients are included, and where authors set out to investigate both feasibility and neuropsychological performance before and after the CRT. Observed significant changes in set-shifting and patient feedback from this study was used to further develop CRT for patients with AN.…”

“…Also, results from this study led to the refining of materials, and the inclusion of behavioural task in the updated [in-house] manual produced a few years later [Tchanturia & Davies: Cognitive Remediation Programme for Anorexia Nervosa: A Manual for Practitioners, Unpublished]. Group CRT was first described and evaluated in the study by Genders & Tchanturia [74] and similar to the Tchanturia et al's work from 2007, this study also sought to combine knowledge of feasibility and changes post CRT. Results supported acceptability for both patients and group facilitators, and heightened rates of selfreported ability to change were reported by the patients.…”

Group Therapy for Adolescents Living With an Eating Disorder

“…Wood et al's (2011) CRT group was based on a manualized treatment for adult individuals living with AN (Tchanturia, Davis, Reeder, & Wykes, 2010). Similarly, the CRT model presented by Pretorius et al (2012) was an adaptation of a group CRT model for adults with AN (Genders & Tchanturia, 2010). Both models of CRT aimed to improve various cognitive domains through the use of games and puzzles.…”

Neuropsychological variables and clinical status in anorexia nervosa: relationship between visuospatial memory and central coherence and eating disorder symptom severity

“…Originally, CRT for AN has been delivered on an individual basis, and consisted of 8-10 sessions with a trained therapist. Recently, possibilities of CRT in a group setting have been being explored [34,35]. Furthermore, CRT has been delivered to adolescents [36,37] and outpatients [38,39].…”