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Behavioral Intervention

Exposure Therapy for Anorexia

N/A
Recruiting
Led By Jamal Essayli
Research Sponsored by Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Participants must be English speakers, ages 18 - 65 years, of all genders, with AN-spectrum disorders, defined as a diagnosis of AN, atypical AN, or AN in partial remission.
Be older than 18 years old
Must not have
Participants below 18 years of age will be excluded.
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up discharge_session 20 (week 20)
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial will evaluate an innovative treatment combining real-life and mental exposure to help people with anorexia reduce anxiety around eating and weight gain.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for adults with eating disorders, specifically those who have been diagnosed with anorexia or anorexia nervosa. Participants should be open to trying a new therapy that involves facing their fears about eating and weight gain.
What is being tested?
The study is testing Exposure Therapy for individuals with anorexia spectrum disorders. It aims to reduce anxiety related to eating and gaining weight by combining real-life experiences (like eating feared foods) with mental exercises.
What are the potential side effects?
Potential side effects are not explicitly listed, but exposure therapy can sometimes cause increased anxiety temporarily as patients confront their fears directly during the treatment process.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
Select...
I am between 18 and 65, speak English, and have been diagnosed with an anorexia nervosa spectrum disorder.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
Select...
I am 18 years old or older.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~discharge_session 20 (week 20)
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and discharge_session 20 (week 20) for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ)
Clinical Impairment Assessment (CIA)
Demographic Form
+6 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Exposure TherapyExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Exp-AN will effectively target anxiety related to eating and weight gain via inhibitory learning, and improve treatment outcomes.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Exposure Therapy
2016
N/A
~300

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Milton S. Hershey Medical CenterLead Sponsor
511 Previous Clinical Trials
2,870,860 Total Patients Enrolled
1 Trials studying Eating Disorders
70 Patients Enrolled for Eating Disorders
Jamal EssayliPrincipal InvestigatorPenn State University
~20 spots leftby Jun 2026
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