Adapted physical activity program for people with anorexia nervosa

Adapted Physical Activity in the Treatment of Anorexia:

This trial will test whether adding an 8-week adapted physical activity program with psychoeducation helps people with anorexia nervosa improve BMI and stay engaged in treatment.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 220 (estimated)
• Ages: 12 Years to 40 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Fondation Santé des Étudiants de France (Academic / other)
• Locations: 7 sites (Lille and 6 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT05477537 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The trial adds a standardized 8-week Adapted Physical Activity (APA) program—eight 90-minute sessions combining supervised activity and psychoeducation about problematic exercise and healthy practice—to usual care for people with anorexia nervosa. Eligible participants are aged 12 or older, meet DSM-5 criteria for anorexia nervosa, and are treated in participating specialized eating-disorder centers in France. The primary outcome is change in body mass index at the end of the program, with secondary outcomes assessed at program end and six months later to measure symptoms and treatment adherence. Sessions are delivered in person and the intensity is adapted to each patient, with those medically unstable or with contraindications to exercise excluded.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: People aged 12 or older with DSM-5 anorexia nervosa who are being treated at the participating French specialized centers, can read and write French, have social coverage, and can give informed consent.

Not a fit: Patients with somatic instability requiring intensive medical care, acute psychiatric emergencies (including high suicidal risk), somatic contraindications to physical activity, inability to consent, or pregnancy/breastfeeding are unlikely to benefit or are excluded.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could allow safer, supervised inclusion of physical activity in treatment, improve BMI and reduce dropout, supporting faster recovery and less chronic illness.

How similar studies have performed: Some small trials and pilot programs of tailored exercise and psychoeducation for anorexia have shown promise for reducing hyperactivity and improving outcomes, but high-quality randomized evidence remains limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Anorexia nervosa patients (DSM 5 criteria),
* over or equal to 12 years old,
* Treated in the specialised eating disorder centres involved in the study either in the day hospital program or in the inpatient program,
* Understanding, reading and writing French,
* Benefiting from social cover
* Have read the information notice and have consented to participate in the study by signing a written consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Somatic instability needing intensive medical care or monitoring (intensity is adapted in each session to each patient) or psychiatric emergency (suicidal risk and/or acute psychiatric symptomatology),
* Somatic complication forbidding any physical activity,
* Absence social cover,
* Patients in an emergency situation, incapable of giving their consent or adults under guardianship or curatorship,
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women (declarative: question asked to the patient during inclusion),
* Refusal to participate.

Where this trial is running

Lille and 6 other locations

• CHU Lille — Lille, France (Withdrawn)
• Clinique Saint Vincent de Paul — Lyon, France (Recruiting)
• CHU Montpellier — Montpellier, France (Recruiting)
• CHU Nantes - service d'addictologie et Psychiatrie de Liaison — Nantes, France (Recruiting)
• GHU Saine Anne — Paris, France (Recruiting)
• UDJ Michel Ange — Paris, France (Recruiting)
• CHU St Etienne — Saint-Etienne, France (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Nathalie Godart, PU-PH

Conditions Anorexia Nervosa; Adapted physical activity