Faculty mentor/PI email address
ifatima@holyname.org
Is your research Teaching and Learning based?
1
Keywords
Anorexia Nervosa, Adolescent Eating Disorders, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Intranasal Oxytocin, Family Based Therapy, Eating Disorder Treatment Outcomes
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe and potentially life-threatening psychiatric disorder with the highest mortality rate among psychiatric illnesses affecting adolescents.¹ It is characterized by extreme restriction of caloric intake driven by an intense fear of weight gain or negative body image perception.¹ Mortality results from medical complications of starvation and an increased prevalence of suicide risk.¹ Although AN can occur at any point across the lifespan, it most commonly first presents during adolescence.¹ This developmental period is marked by significant hormonal, biological, and psychosocial changes. Early-onset AN is associated with stunted growth, pubertal delay, and long-term cognitive and emotional consequences, making early and effective intervention critical upon diagnosis.²
Epidemiological data suggests that the incidence of eating disorders has increased significantly over recent decades, with cases presenting at increasingly younger ages. Pediatric AN differs from adult AN in important ways; children demonstrate stronger familial involvement in healthcare, greater neurodevelopmental vulnerability, and more significant growth disruption.² These distinctions necessitate treatment approaches that account for neurodevelopmental stage and family systems.
First-line therapy includes evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, with Family-Based Treatment (FBT) being the preferred initial approach.³ This literature review evaluates and compares the current evidence for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and intranasal oxytocin in the treatment of AN among children and adolescents aged 0–17 years within the Northeastern United States.
A comprehensive review of recent systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and clinical guidelines demonstrates that CBT, particularly enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-E), has approximately 30–50% effectiveness for weight restoration and reduction of eating disorder psychopathology in adolescents.⁵,⁹ Treatment completion rates are high and outcomes are comparable to those observed in controlled research settings. Although CBT is generally considered a second-line intervention after FBT in pediatric AN, it is well supported and clinically viable.⁴
In contrast, evidence for intranasal oxytocin is limited to adult female populations with inconsistent findings.¹⁰,¹³ The largest randomized controlled trial to date showed no significant benefit over placebo for weight gain or eating disorder psychopathology. Smaller studies have suggested possible effects on reducing anxiety, cognitive rigidity, and stress response, however these findings have not been replicated.¹²,¹³ Notably, no clinical trials have evaluated oxytocin in pediatric populations with AN.
Current literature does not support oxytocin as a standalone treatment for pediatric AN. Given the absence of pediatric data and negative findings in adult trials, psychotherapy remains the first-line treatment. Future research should explore whether oxytocin may serve as a useful adjuvant within established psychotherapeutic frameworks.
Disciplines
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | Medicine and Health Sciences | Mental Disorders
Comparative Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Intranasal Oxytocin in Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe and potentially life-threatening psychiatric disorder with the highest mortality rate among psychiatric illnesses affecting adolescents.¹ It is characterized by extreme restriction of caloric intake driven by an intense fear of weight gain or negative body image perception.¹ Mortality results from medical complications of starvation and an increased prevalence of suicide risk.¹ Although AN can occur at any point across the lifespan, it most commonly first presents during adolescence.¹ This developmental period is marked by significant hormonal, biological, and psychosocial changes. Early-onset AN is associated with stunted growth, pubertal delay, and long-term cognitive and emotional consequences, making early and effective intervention critical upon diagnosis.²
Epidemiological data suggests that the incidence of eating disorders has increased significantly over recent decades, with cases presenting at increasingly younger ages. Pediatric AN differs from adult AN in important ways; children demonstrate stronger familial involvement in healthcare, greater neurodevelopmental vulnerability, and more significant growth disruption.² These distinctions necessitate treatment approaches that account for neurodevelopmental stage and family systems.
First-line therapy includes evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, with Family-Based Treatment (FBT) being the preferred initial approach.³ This literature review evaluates and compares the current evidence for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and intranasal oxytocin in the treatment of AN among children and adolescents aged 0–17 years within the Northeastern United States.
A comprehensive review of recent systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and clinical guidelines demonstrates that CBT, particularly enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-E), has approximately 30–50% effectiveness for weight restoration and reduction of eating disorder psychopathology in adolescents.⁵,⁹ Treatment completion rates are high and outcomes are comparable to those observed in controlled research settings. Although CBT is generally considered a second-line intervention after FBT in pediatric AN, it is well supported and clinically viable.⁴
In contrast, evidence for intranasal oxytocin is limited to adult female populations with inconsistent findings.¹⁰,¹³ The largest randomized controlled trial to date showed no significant benefit over placebo for weight gain or eating disorder psychopathology. Smaller studies have suggested possible effects on reducing anxiety, cognitive rigidity, and stress response, however these findings have not been replicated.¹²,¹³ Notably, no clinical trials have evaluated oxytocin in pediatric populations with AN.
Current literature does not support oxytocin as a standalone treatment for pediatric AN. Given the absence of pediatric data and negative findings in adult trials, psychotherapy remains the first-line treatment. Future research should explore whether oxytocin may serve as a useful adjuvant within established psychotherapeutic frameworks.