Exposure Therapy Study In Adults With Eating Disorders

Status Recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

The current proposal will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of Exposure Therapy for anorexia nervosa (AN) spectrum disorders (Exp-AN), an innovative treatment rooted in principles of inhibitory learning. Exp-AN will target anxiety about both eating and weight gain by combining in vivo (i.e., in real life) and imaginal (i.e., mental) exposure in novel ways (e.g., eating a feared food while listening to a recording describing fears about weight gain).

Clinical Trial Description

The current proposal will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of Exposure Therapy for anorexia nervosa (AN) Spectrum Disorders (Exp-AN), an innovative treatment rooted in principles of inhibitory learning. Exp-AN will target anxiety about both eating and weight gain by combining in vivo (i.e., in real life) and imaginal (i.e., mental) exposure in novel ways (e.g., eating a feared food while listening to a recording describing fears about weight gain). The central hypothesis is that Exp-AN will effectively target anxiety related to eating and weight gain via inhibitory learning, and improve treatment outcomes. The investigator will test two aims: Aim 1. Evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of Exp-AN. Hypothesis 1.1: Exp-AN will be feasible, with satisfactory levels of recruitment (≥50%) and retention (≥70%). Hypothesis 1.2: Participants will engage in Exp-AN, as measured by completion of the five treatment modules (≥80%) and therapy homework (≥60%). Hypothesis 1.3: Participants will rate all five Exp-AN modules as acceptable. Hypothesis 1.4: Exp-AN will result in increases in BMI and decreases in AN symptomatology. Aim 2. Investigate Exp-AN's mechanisms of action, and if mechanisms are associated with positive outcomes. Hypothesis 2.1: Exp-AN will result in decreases in anxiety between sessions, decreases in anxious beliefs, and increases in anxiety tolerance. Hypothesis 2.2: Changes in anxiety ratings, anxious beliefs, and tolerance of anxiety will be associated with weight gain and reduced AN symptomatology. ;

Study Design

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

Clinical Trial Details

NCT number	NCT06171711
Study type	Interventional
Source	Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Contact	Jamal Essayli, Ph.D
Phone	7175310003
Email	jessayli@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
Status	Recruiting
Phase	N/A
Start date	May 2, 2024
Completion date	June 30, 2026

View Details

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Clinical trials are conducted in a series of steps, called phases - each phase is designed to answer a separate research question.

Phase 1: Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
Phase 2: The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase 3: The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely.
Phase 4: Studies are done after the drug or treatment has been marketed to gather information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.