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Emotion-focused treatments for anorexia nervosa: a systematic review of the literature

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Abstract

Purpose

The present review explores emotion-focused treatments for anorexia nervosa (AN).

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search across key databases (PsychINFO, PubMed/Medline, and Web of Science) prior to September 2015. Twenty studies were selected for systematic review.

Results

The present review found initial evidence supporting the acceptability and feasibility of emotion-focused treatments for AN. Although preliminary results are promising, further controlled studies are necessary to establish the efficacy of emotion-focused treatments for AN.

Conclusions

Future controlled trials should compare emotion-focused treatments against each other and against other AN treatments. Future studies should also examine the mechanisms of action for the emotion-focused treatments and treatment moderators.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, 75275, USA

    Margarita Sala & Elizabeth A. Black

  2. Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, USA

    Amy Heard

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  1. Margarita Sala
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  2. Amy Heard
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Correspondence to Margarita Sala.

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Sala, M., Heard, A. & Black, E.A. Emotion-focused treatments for anorexia nervosa: a systematic review of the literature. Eat Weight Disord 21, 147–164 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-016-0257-9

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