RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07188155

Adapting Exposure for Adolescent AN

Adapting Exposure Therapy to Target Anxiety About Weight Gain in Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa

Sponsor

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Enrollment

16 participants

Start Date

Feb 20, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Anorexia Nervosa

Summary

This pilot study is evaluating Exposure Therapy (Exp-AN) as a virtual treatment for adolescents (ages 14 - 17 years) with anorexia nervosa (AN) recruited from eating disorder clinic waitlists and clinician referrals at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) (8 participants per site). Adolescents who agree to take part in this study will receive 20 free virtual 40-60 minute weekly Exp-AN sessions at an outpatient level of care. Exp-AN for adolescents will combine individual virtual session time (35-50 min) with parent involvement (10-25 min). Parents will serve as "collaborators," supporting skill development, exposure completion, and treatment goal achievement. Exp-AN sessions will focus on helping participants overcome anxiety about weight gain by encouraging them to do challenging things that increase anxiety in the short term but help them better tolerate anxiety over the long term. Participants will be asked to complete a clinical interview, questionnaires, and labs and vitals testing before they begin the study. Adolescents will also complete questionnaires and participate in 15-min semi-structured interviews, while parents/caregivers will complete separate parallel interviews, at: mid-treatment, end-of-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. To ensure that all participants are receiving the same type of therapy, they will not be able to have any concurrent psychotherapy while receiving this treatment (other forms of care including dieticians, nutritionists, and psychiatrists are allowed). Exp-AN is designed to target anxiety about weight gain. Exp-AN includes education about the effects of undereating; the importance of overcoming anxiety about weight gain; in-session weight exposures (e.g., stepping on a scale while reading a script describing fears about weight gain); creating a meal plan to help improve eating; reviewing eating behaviors over the past week; conducting in-session and between-session exposures that help participants face fears related to weight gain; and relapse prevention.

Eligibility

Min Age: 14 YearsMax Age: 17 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is testing a type of therapy called exposure-based treatment adapted for teenagers with anorexia nervosa. It involves the family and focuses on helping teens gradually face fears around food and eating while working with their parents or caregivers. **You may be eligible if...** - You are between 14 and 17 years old - You have been diagnosed with anorexia nervosa - You speak English - You are stable enough for outpatient (non-hospital) care - You weigh 90% or less of your expected healthy body weight - You live with at least one parent or caregiver **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder - You are currently in therapy and not willing to pause it during the study - You are pregnant - You have active thoughts of suicide - You have a psychotic disorder or intellectual disability - You do not speak English Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

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

BEHAVIORALExposure Therapy for Anorexia (Exp-AN)

Exp-AN is specifically designed to target anxiety about weight gain. Exp-AN helps participants identify their specific feared consequences of weight gain (e.g., "I will permanently hate myself if I gain weight"), and combines in vivo (i.e., in real life) and imaginal (i.e., mental) exposure exercises to address these fears.