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World J Transl Med. Dec 12, 2014; 3(3): 150-157
Published online Dec 12, 2014. doi: 10.5528/wjtm.v3.i3.150
Published online Dec 12, 2014. doi: 10.5528/wjtm.v3.i3.150
Psychotherapy in anorexia nervosa: What does the absence of evidence mean?
Emilio Gutiérrez, Olaia Carrera, Unidad Venres Clínicos, Facultad de Psicología, Campus Vida, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Emilio Gutiérrez, Departamento de Psicología Clínica y Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Santiago, Campus Vida, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Author contributions: Both authors contributed to the manuscript.
Supported by The research budget of the Venres Clinicos Unit (University of Santiago de Compostela)
Correspondence to: Emilio Gutiérrez, PhD, Departamento de Psicología Clínica y Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Santiago, Rua Xose María Suarez Nuñez, s/n, Campus Vida, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain. emilio.gutierrez@usc.es
Telephone: +34-881-813730 Fax:. +34-881-813901
Received: June 30, 2014
Revised: September 13, 2014
Accepted: October 1, 2014
Published online: December 12, 2014
Processing time: 165 Days and 23.9 Hours
Revised: September 13, 2014
Accepted: October 1, 2014
Published online: December 12, 2014
Processing time: 165 Days and 23.9 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: This paper presents an alternative explanation conspicuously lacking in the literature as to the scarce evidence concerning the efficacy of psychotherapy in anorexia nervosa. The absence of data supporting a particular treatment undermines the basic tenets underlying the theory on which it is grounded, or is at least a defective translation of the theory into the “dos” and “don’ts” of manualized treatment. This assertion is elucidated by recent research on a placebo and non-specific treatment that was found to be more effective than a number of specialized treatments.