The shifting perspectives study protocol: Cognitive remediation therapy as an adjunctive treatment to family based treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa

The importance of improving cognitive flexibility in adolescents with anorexia nervosa: The case for cognitive remediation therapy

OBJECTIVE

Inefficiencies in executive functioning (EF), more specifically cognitive flexibility and an overly detailed processing style, are frequently observed in individuals with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and have been identified as potential targets in treatment. Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) is an adjunctive treatment approach specifically designed to have a positive impact on EF. Mainly evaluated in adults, CRT has been criticized for its perceived ineffectiveness in promoting weight restoration or directly reducing eating disorder symptoms.

METHOD

We argue that we need to refocus our conceptual framework for using CRT as an adjunctive treatment and specifically explore its potential benefit in adolescents.

RESULTS

Adolescence is a critical window for EF development during which CRT has the potential to have the most impact. While it may not specifically ameliorate eating disorder symptoms and directly improve weight gain, CRT may mitigate the impact of malnutrition on adolescent brain development, reduce attrition rates in treatment, and improve cognitive flexibility and (indirectly) other maintaining factors, thereby improving global functioning.

DISCUSSION

More research needs to be done to understand the development of EF in adolescents with AN and how best to employ CRT as an adjunctive treatment to support development and target maintaining factors. The current article broadly reviews findings on executive functioning inefficiencies in adolescents with AN and discusses the purpose and role of CRT in treating AN. Finally, we highlight key critiques of using CRT and pose questions for future research.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

Treatments targeting executive functioning in adolescents with AN are limited. We need to better understand how CRT can benefit adolescents in treatment. Increasing treatment options, including adjunctive treatments, is necessary to reduce the long-term impact of AN.

Therapeutic Alliance in Family-Based Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa: In-Person Versus Telehealth

OBJECTIVE

The therapeutic alliance is broadly linked with positive outcomes. However, nearly all research in this area involves in-person therapy, whereas teletherapy has grown increasing common since the COVID-19 pandemic. There is now a pressing need to establish whether the nature and importance of the therapeutic alliance is impacted by teletherapy. This study examined therapeutic alliance in families of youth with anorexia nervosa who were participating in a randomized controlled trial that transitioned from in-person to telehealth visits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHOD

We analysed data from 53 adolescents and their parents (20 began in-person, 33 began with telehealth). Both parents, youth and therapist completed the Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised after 4 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

We found no significant differences across telehealth and in-person treatment for paternal or therapist reported data. However, both adolescents and mothers reported higher bond and goal-related alliance for in-person sessions compared to telehealth.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings regarding alliance across telehealth and in-person sessions were mixed, with some preference among mothers and youth for in-person treatment. Future studies should determine whether possible adaptations can improve working alliance during family-based treatment for anorexia nervosa via telehealth.

Diminished Adaptation, Satisfaction, and Neural Responses to Advantageous Social Signals in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

BACKGROUND

Development and recurrence of 2 eating disorders (EDs), anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are frequently associated with environmental stressors. Neurobehavioral responses to social learning signals were evaluated in both EDs.

METHODS

Women with anorexia nervosa (n = 25), women with bulimia nervosa (n = 30), or healthy comparison women (n = 38) played a neuroeconomic game in which the norm shifted, generating social learning signals (norm prediction errors [NPEs]) during a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan. A Bayesian logistic regression model examined how the probability of offer acceptance depended on cohort, block, and NPEs. Rejection rates, emotion ratings, and neural responses to NPEs were compared across groups.

RESULTS

Relative to the comparison group, both ED cohorts showed less adaptation (p = .028, ηp2 = 0.060), and advantageous signals (positive NPEs) led to higher rejection rates (p = .014, ηp2 = 0.077) and less positive emotion ratings (p = .004, ηp2 = 0.111). Advantageous signals increased neural activations in the orbitofrontal cortex for the comparison group but not for women with anorexia nervosa (p = .018, d = 0.655) or bulimia nervosa (p = .043, d = 0.527). More severe ED symptoms were associated with decreased activation of dorsomedial prefrontal cortex for advantageous signals.

CONCLUSIONS

Diminished neural processing of advantageous social signals and impaired norm adaptation were observed in both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, while no differences were found for disadvantageous social signals. Development of neurocognitive interventions to increase responsivity to advantageous social signals could augment current treatments, potentially leading to improved clinical outcomes for EDs.

The buffet challenge: a behavioral assessment of eating behavior in adolescents with an eating disorder

OBJECTIVE

Eating disorders are characterized by disturbances in nutritional intake and abnormal mealtime behaviors. Laboratory eating paradigms offer a unique opportunity to accurately measure dietary intake and eating behaviors, however, these studies have predominantly occurred in adults. This paper describes the development and preliminary psychometric examination of the Buffet Challenge, a laboratory-based meal task for youths with an eating disorder.

METHOD

We recruited and assessed 56 participants as part of a randomized controlled trial of Family-Based Treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Adolescents completed the Buffet Challenge at baseline, midway through treatment (~ week 16 of a 6 months course), and end of treatment. Participants and their parents also reported eating disorder symptomatology and treatment related variables of interest were recorded.

RESULTS

All adolescents were willing to complete the Buffet Challenge at all time points, although one refused to give up their cellphone, and there were no significant adverse events recorded. Preliminary results are presented.

CONCLUSIONS

Our initial pilot of this task in adolescents with anorexia nervosa demonstrates its acceptability, although investigation of our hypotheses was hindered by significant missing data due to COVID-related research shutdowns. Future studies should replicate procedures in a larger sample to ensure analyses are adequately powered.

Factor structure of the Eating Disorder Flexibility Index in U.S. nonclinical collegiate and clinical adolescent samples

Cognitive and behavioral inflexibility are transdiagnostic maintaining mechanisms of varied psychopathologies, including eating disorders (ED). The Eating Disorder Flexibility Index (EDFLIX) is the only psychometrically validated self-report measure of general and ED-specific flexibility in the published literature. The EDFLIX was originally developed in Scandinavian adult clinical and healthy control samples but is increasingly used in its English version in other populations, including adolescent and nonclinical samples, raising questions about its validity and reliability in diverse groups. This study examined the factor structure of the previously published English EDFLIX in undergraduates (n = 578, 57.6 % female, 50.2 % White). Parallel and exploratory factor analysis suggested the EDFLIX may comprise two or three underlying factors. However, follow-up confirmatory factor analyses from nonclinical student and clinical ED-diagnosed (n = 69, 87.0 % female, 91.3 % White) samples did not support either model. Further, EDFLIX scores did not correlate with established neuropsychological measures of cognitive flexibility typically used in prior research on flexibility in EDs. Findings suggest the EDFLIX has poor psychometric properties in certain groups and may not capture underlying aspects of flexibility as previously proposed. Future research should explore alternative versions of the EDFLIX along with its psychometric properties across various samples.

Impact of virtual adjunctive cognitive remediation therapy on cognitive flexibility and treatment outcomes in comorbid anorexia nervosa and exercise dependence as quantified using novel biomarkers: A stage 1 registered report

OBJECTIVE

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with significant individual mental and physical suffering and public health burden and fewer than half of patients recover fully with current treatments. Comorbid exercise dependence (ExD) is common in AN and associated with significantly worse symptom severity and treatment outcomes. Research points to cognitive inflexibility as a prominent executive function inefficiency and transdiagnostic etiologic and maintaining mechanism linking AN and ExD. This study will evaluate the initial efficacy of adjunctive Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT), which has been shown to produce cognitive improvements in adults with AN, in targeting cognitive inflexibility in individuals with comorbid AN and ExD. As an exploratory aim, this study also addresses the current lack of quick and cost-effective assessments of cognitive flexibility by establishing the utility of two proposed biomarkers, heart rate variability and salivary oxytocin.

METHOD

We will conduct a single-group, within-subjects trial of an established CRT protocol delivered remotely as an adjunct to inpatient or intensive outpatient treatment as usual (TAU) to adult patients (n = 42) with comorbid AN and ExD. Assessments, including self-report, neuropsychological, and biomarker measurements, will occur at three time points.

RESULTS

We expect CRT to increase cognitive flexibility transdiagnostically and consequently, along with TAU, positively impact AN and ExD compulsivity and symptom severity, including weight gain.

DISCUSSION

Findings will inform the development of more effective integrative interventions for AN and ExD targeting shared mechanisms and facilitate the routine assessment of cognitive flexibility as a transdiagnostic risk and maintaining factor across psychopathologies in clinical and research settings.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

Patients with anorexia nervosa often engage in excessive exercise, leading to harmful outcomes, including increased suicidal behavior. This study examines the preliminary efficacy of an intervention that fosters flexible and holistic thinking in patients with problematic eating and exercise to, along with routine treatment, decrease harmful exercise symptoms. This study also examines new biological markers of the inflexible thinking style thought to be characteristic of anorexia nervosa and exercise dependence.

Adaptations of cognitive remediation therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa for delivery via telehealth

OBJECTIVE

The COVID-19 pandemic hastened a transition to treatment delivery via telehealth. While barriers still exist, the increased uptake of telehealth has the potential to increase access to mental health treatment for all diagnoses, including eating disorders. Delivery of evidence-based treatment as well as adjunctive treatments, including those that are hard to find in-person, have been modified to virtual format to increase accessibility and allow for continuity of care for adolescents with anorexia nervosa.

METHOD

We describe how to modify and deliver Cognitive Remediation Therapy for youth with anorexia nervosa (CRT-AN) via a telehealth platform. Preliminary and practical guidance for best practice for both group and individual delivery is established.

RESULTS

With minimal modifications, CRT-AN can be delivered via telehealth for both individual and group delivery. More disengagement in group delivery was noted; however, overall application of the treatment via a remote platform was observed.

DISCUSSION

As more treatment moves to a telehealth format, highlighting how an adjunctive treatment like CRT-AN can combined with other treatments in a telehealth format has the potential to increase research in its implementation and furthermore increase its dissemination.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

Cognitive Remediation Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa (CRT-AN) requires significant manipulation of materials and supplementary human guidance. Suggestions for how to modify CRT-AN for remote delivery via telehealth are provided. Modifications grew out of immediate changes made during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and can be used to inform changes therapists and programs can make to continue to or begin to use CRT-AN in a remote fashion.

Autistic characteristics in youth with anorexia nervosa before and after treatment

OBJECTIVE

Cognitive characteristics common to autistic individuals are often seen in adults with anorexia nervosa (AN), raising the question of whether autistic people and people with AN may share an endophenotype. We need to examine autistic characteristics during the early stages of AN to accurately parse true symptom co-occurrence from behavioural alterations due to prolonged illness.

METHODS

We conducted a post-hoc analysis examining autistic characteristics in 59 youth with AN. Adolescents and parents participating in a randomised-clinical trial for AN completed questionnaires probing autistic characteristics at baseline and treatment end. We categorised participants as above or below cut-offs of clinical indicators of autism using the Autism Probability Index (API) and the Autism Spectrum Quotient-10.

RESULTS

Rates of high autistic characteristics ranged between 0% and 36% depending on the instrument used and how the data was obtained (i.e., by informant report or self-report). Paternal report of autistic characteristics differed across treatment completers versus non completers and maternal report indicated lower weight gain for those with elevated characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

Low rates of autism and fluctuations in autistic features during treatment underscore the importance of longitudinal examinations of autistic characteristics in adolescents with AN. Future studies need to replicate findings in a larger adolescent sample.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrails.gov Identifier NCT03928028.

Neuropsychological and clinical findings of Cognitive Remediation Therapy feasibility randomised controlled trial in young people with anorexia nervosa

OBJECTIVE

Randomised controlled trial (RCT) in adults with anorexia nervosa (AN) showed that Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) enhances cognitive flexibility, abstract thinking and quality-of-life. Despite inconsistent findings, CRT has the potential as an adjunct treatment for young people (YP) with AN. A feasibility RCT was conducted in an inpatient setting. The study will also consider the effect of CRT in YP with AN and autistic symptoms.

METHODS

Participants were randomly allocated to the Immediate or Delayed condition to receive individual CRT sessions, in addition to standard treatment. A repeated measures design was conducted.

RESULTS

Eighty participants were recruited. The neuropsychological measures were feasible for evaluating individual CRT in YP. Significant improvements in set-shifting and central coherence were found, with no main effect between immediate and delayed condition. Significant interactions were found between the condition, and autism spectrum condition (ASC) and No-ASC subgroup, with significant positive impact of CRT on set-shifting in the No-ASC subgroup. There was some evidence that for the No-ASC subgroup, CRT was more effective if delivered at the start of the treatment; and for the ASC subgroup, that CRT was more effective if delivered at the later stage of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the overall positive effect of CRT in set-shifting and central coherence alongside standard treatment. They also indicate the importance of screening for the presence of ASC which could require tailored CRT.