RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06085092

Open vs. Blind Weighing Study In Adolescents and Young Adult With Eating Disorders

Evaluating Open Weighing and Blind Weighing in the Treatment of Adolescents and Young Adults With Eating Disorders

Sponsor

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Enrollment

70 participants

Start Date

Oct 31, 2023

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Anorexia Nervosa Eating Disorders

Summary

Current treatments for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with eating disorders (EDs) do not effectively address a central ED symptom - anxiety about weight gain - which contributes to poor outcomes. The proposed study evaluates the feasibility, acceptability, efficacy, and underlying mechanisms of an enhanced version of "open weighing," a cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to target anxiety about weight gain in AYAs with EDs. Understanding how to better treat AYAs with EDs, and identifying the mechanisms by which interventions lead to improvement, will aid in the development of more effective and personalized treatments, ultimately improving the lives of AYAs with EDs.

Eligibility

Min Age: 12 YearsMax Age: 24 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This clinical trial is studying a behavioral approach called Blind weighing and a behavioral approach called Open weighing for people with anorexia nervosa and eating disorders. The study is currently recruiting participants at 1 location. People eligible for this study include aged 12 Years to 24 Years.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALOpen weighing

The open-weighing intervention aims to challenge beliefs about weight gain. The study coordinator (SC) will explain open weighing, discuss any concerns you have about your weight, and construct a weight graph with the number of weeks on the x-axis and weight in pounds on the y-axis. The SC will help identify beliefs about gaining weight, which will be written on a Feared Outcomes Form. The SC will ask you to predict your weight, mark the weight prediction on the graph, weigh you on a standing scale, record your weight, and discuss your responses to seeing your weight, including any reasons for a difference between your predicted and actual weight. Each week, the SC will graph your actual and predicted weights over time and discuss anything that you are learning from this process. The SC will ask you to complete the Feared Outcomes Form once per day over the next week, review it each week, and talk to you about what you are learning from this process.

BEHAVIORALBlind weighing

The blind weighing intervention aims to help you see self-weighing as an eating disorder symptom that you should stop, and that weight is not important to your identity or self-esteem. To do this, the study coordinator will explain why blind weighing might be helpful. You will then be asked to step backwards on a standing scale. The study coordinator will record your weight but will not share your weight information with you. The study coordinator will discourage you from thinking or talking about your weight.