The Maudsley model of anorexia nervosa treatment for adolescents and emerging adults: A multi-centre cohort study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was examining the efficacy of the Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adolescents and Young Adults (MANTRa) compared to individual psychotherapy that can be considered as standard in Austria (TAU-O). Method: In this cohort study, 92 patients between 13 and 21 years suffering from full-syndrome, atypical or weight-restored anorexia nervosa (AN) received either 24–34 individual MANTRa sessions (n = 45) or TAU-O (n = 47). Outcome variables were age- and sex-related BMI, eating disorder and comorbid psychopathology at 6-, 12- and 18-month post baseline as well as acceptability of treatment and therapeutic alliance. Results: Both treatments resulted in significant improvements in age- and sex related BMI and reductions in eating disorder and comorbid psychopathology over time with significant differences between groups in favour of MANTRa. The percentage of participants with fully remitted AN was significantly higher in the MANTRa group compared to TAU-O at 18-month follow-up (MANTRa: 46% vs. TAU-O: 16%, p = 0.006). Satisfaction with both treatments was high. Conclusions: MANTRa is an effective treatment programme for adolescents and young adults with AN. Randomised controlled trials comparing MANTRa with existing treatments are necessary. Trial registration: The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03535714).