A randomised control trial study evaluating a compulsive exercise group for adolescent inpatients with eating...

Area of Science:

• Clinical Psychology
• Eating Disorder Research
• Adolescent Psychiatry

Background:

• Compulsive exercise is a common issue in adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa.
• Standard inpatient treatment for Anorexia Nervosa may benefit from adjunctive therapies targeting exercise behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a 7-session manualized group intervention for compulsive exercise (NEAT) as an adjunct to inpatient treatment for adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa (AN).

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 75 adolescents (aged 12-17) with AN.
• Participants were assigned to either NEAT plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU alone.
• Self-report measures assessed compulsive exercise and eating disorder psychopathology at two time points.

Main Results:

• 51 participants completed the study.
• Both groups demonstrated significant reductions in compulsive exercise and eating disorder psychopathology.
• No significant differences were observed between the NEAT + TAU group and the TAU alone group on outcome measures.

Conclusions:

• Intensive, multidisciplinary treatment as usual (TAU), with or without the NEAT group, is effective in reducing compulsive exercise and eating disorder symptoms in adolescents with AN.
• The findings support the integration of interventions addressing compulsive exercise within inpatient AN treatment.
• Recommendations for future research and the availability of the treatment manual are noted.