The Efficacy of Cognitive Remediation Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews

Abstract

Background: Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) for anorexia nervosa (AN) is an intervention specifically focused on addressing cognitive difficulties associated with the eating disorder. This systematic review of systematic reviews and meta-analysis aimed to provide a summary of the existing literature examining the efficacy of CRT in improving the neuropsychological, psychological, and clinical parameters of patients with AN. Methods: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were sought in electronic databases, encompassing studies that explored the impact of CRT on AN. Three eligible reviews were identified based on the inclusion criteria. The Revised Assessment of Multiple SysTemAtic Reviews (R-AMSTAR) was employed to evaluate the methodological quality of the reviews, and all included reviews demonstrated satisfactory methodological quality with an R-AMSTAR score of ≥22. Relevant information was extracted from each review and qualitatively compiled. Results: Findings suggest that CRT can help people increase their awareness of cognitive styles and information processing and have a positive effect on patients’ responses to treatment. Conclusions: Further research is required to better understand its impact on other relevant outcomes, including psychological variables, to optimize the treatment’s benefits.

Keywords

• cognitive remediation therapy
• anorexia nervosa
• systematic review
• clinical psychology