Comparing Enhanced Cognitive-behavior Therapy and Family-based Treatment for Adolescents With an Eating Disorder

Overview

The goal of this randomized controlled clinical trial is to compare the efficacy of outpatient family-based treatment versus enhanced cognitive behavior therapy for children and adolescents with eating disorders. Because of insufficient recruitment, the study design was modified on December 1st, 2025, to a partially randomized preference design. The main aim is to determine if enhanced cognitive behavior therapy has a similar efficacy as family-based treatment among children and adolescents with eating disorders receiving treatment in an outpatient setting. The main outcome is improvement in eating disorders psychopathology at the end of treatment.

Eating disorders (EDs) are severe mental illnesses, associated with high morbidity, increased mortality, and reduced quality of life. Despite treatment advancements, remission rates are modest. Even in specialized treatment settings offering evidence-based treatments such as family-based treatment (FBT), remission rates are about 50%. There is emerging evidence for the effectiveness of enhanced cognitive behavior therapy (CBT-E) for adolescents with EDs. However, no randomized controlled trial (RCT) has yet compared these two treatments. The current study will compare FBT, which has proven efficacious and is currently recommended for adolescents with EDs, and the newer treatment approach of CBT-E in a large, national RCT. Young patients with all EDs (12-18 years of age) undergoing outpatient treatment from eight different clinics in Norway will be invited to participate in the study. Because of insufficient recruitment, the study design was modified on December 1st, 2025, to a partially randomized preference design. Primary aim: This study is a randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of outpatient family-based treatment versus enhanced cognitive behavior therapy for children and adolescents with eating disorders. The main outcome is improvement in eating disorders psychopathology at the end of treatment. Secondary aims: To compare weight gain for underweight patients, changes in comorbid psychopathology including depression, self-esteem, family functioning, and quality of life at 6-and 12-months follow-up. Potential moderators of outcome will be explored. Treatment satisfaction and experiences of the two different treatments will be investigated from the perspective of patients, parents, and clinicians. Data from the Norwegian Control and Payment of Health Reimbursements Database (KUHR), the Norwegian Patient Registry (NPR), and Social Security Database will be obtained to compare the direct and indirect costs of health care utilization for the two treatments.