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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


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 Not yet recruiting
Phase N/A
Start date April 30, 2024
Completion date September 14, 2025

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