Effectiveness of a Normalization of Eating Intervention Program for Treating Women With Eating Disorders
Effectiveness of a Normalization of Eating Intervention Program for Treating Women With Eating Disorders
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a new approach to a normalization of eating
 program, based on principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy, in treating women with anorexia
 nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
Eating disorders are real, treatable medical illnesses. They are often characterized by
 disturbances in eating behavior, such as drastic reduction of food intake or extreme
 overeating, as well as feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape or weight.
 The two main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. A third
 type, binge-eating disorder, is pending approval as a formal psychiatric diagnosis. Eating
 disorders frequently develop during adolescence or early adulthood, and they occur more often
 in females than in males. Studies have shown cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to be the
 most effective approach to treating eating disorders. However, the applicability of these
 findings to clinical settings and intensive outpatient therapy programs (IOPs) remains
 unknown. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a new approach to a normalization of
 eating (NOE) program, based on principles of CBT, in treating women with anorexia nervosa or
 bulimia nervosa.

 Participants in this open-label study will be assigned to receive either treatment-as-usual
 (TAU) or NOE. Participants admitted to the study in the first 8 months of the trial will
 receive TAU. Those admitted after the first 8 months will take part in the NOE program.
 Participants may begin receiving treatment as soon as they enter the study and will continue
 receiving their assigned treatments for 6 weeks. All participants in the NOE group will be
 required to report to the study site three evenings a week. They will receive individual
 therapy, as well as take part in group and family therapy sessions. In addition, they will be
 supervised while eating a meal. Body weight, results of the Eating Disorders Examination and
 the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders, and self-report measures will
 be assessed post-treatment and at the Month 6 follow-up visit.

 Note: Participants are recruited from the Renfrew Center's outpatient programs located in the
 Philadelphia area. Individuals outside of Renfrew cannot volunteer for this study. For more
 information about the Renfrew Center's inpatient or outpatient treatment programs, please
 call 1-800-RENFREW.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Diagnosis of an eating disorder or eating disorder not otherwise specified (except for
 binge eating disorder), as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the
 American Psychiatric Association

 -  Agrees to remain in IOP treatment for at least 3 weeks

 -  Seeking treatment in one of the Renfrew Center's outpatient programs located in the
 Philadelphia area

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Diagnosis of eating disorder not otherwise specified, including binge eating disorder

 -  Diagnosis of a psychotic disorder

 -  Transferred to inpatient treatment during the IOP stay because of worsening health