Behavior therapy of inpatients with anorexia nervosa - Comparison of body weight change and the social adjustment level between the restrictor type and the bulimic type at 6 months after discharge

Seventy-two inpatients with anorexia who received behavior modification treatment for the body weight gain were followed up for 6 months after discharge. Forty-three patients of the restrictor type and 29 of the bulimic type were mainly compaired regarding weight change and the social adjustment level. There were no significant difference between the two groups with regard to age at onset, age at admission, duration of illness, body weight at admission, the social adjustment level at admission, target body weight for discharge, body weight change in hospital, and the achievement level of treatment program. When the two groups were compared at 6 months after discharge, for body weight, body weight change and for the level of social adjustment, the restrictor type was significantly better than the bulimic type. The multiple regression analysis with the weight change in 6 months after discharge as a dependent variable showed that the type of disease (restrictor type or bulimic type) was contributed most to the body weight change. These results suggested that the behavior modification treatment aiming at weight gain was more suitable for the restrictor type. Furthermore, in addition to the conventional body weight gain program, the behavior modification treatment for the bulimic type might need some other devices, such as a target program for eating behavior.