Comparing open and blind weighing methods for young people with eating disorders
Evaluating Open Weighing and Blind Weighing in the Treatment of Adolescents and Young Adults With Eating Disorders
This study is testing whether young people with eating disorders do better with open weighing, where they know their weight, or blind weighing, where they don’t focus on their weight, to see which method helps them feel better and manage their anxiety.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 70 (estimated) |
| Ages | 12 Years to 24 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hershey, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT06085092 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of two cognitive-behavioral interventions, open weighing (OW) and blind weighing (BW), for adolescents and young adults with eating disorders. Participants aged 12 to 24 will be recruited from a Partial Hospital Program and will undergo either OW, where they are aware of their weight, or BW, where they are discouraged from focusing on their weight. The study aims to determine which method leads to better outcomes in terms of body mass index and anxiety about weight gain, as well as to understand the mechanisms behind these interventions. The findings could inform more effective and personalized treatments for this population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are English-speaking adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 24 with a diagnosis of an eating disorder characterized by anxiety about weight gain.
Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 12 to 24, non-English speakers, or those with cognitive impairments may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved treatment strategies for adolescents and young adults with eating disorders, reducing anxiety about weight gain and enhancing recovery outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of comparing open and blind weighing is novel, similar cognitive-behavioral interventions have shown promise in treating eating disorders.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participants must be English speakers. * Participants must be between the ages of 12 - 24 years who have been admitted to either the adolescent or young adult Partial Hospital Program (PHP) for eating disorders (EDs) at Penn State Hershey. * Participants must also present with an eating disorder (ED) diagnosis that is characterized by anxiety about weight gain, such as anorexia nervosa (AN), Bulimia nervosa (BN), or their subthreshold presentations captured under the other specific feeding or eating disorder (OSFED) category. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants will be excluded if they are above the age of 24 or below the age of 12 years. * Participants who have been identified as non-English speakers. * Participants with cognitive impairment will also be excluded from participation. * Potential participants will be excluded if they do not meet the diagnostic inclusion criteria noted above. * individuals with a diagnosis of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, as these individuals do not experience anxiety about weight gain will be excluded.
Where this trial is running
Hershey, Pennsylvania
- 905 W Govener Rd — Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jamal Essayli, Ph.D — Penn State University
- Study coordinator: Jamal Essayli, Ph.D
- Email: jessayli@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
- Phone: 7175310003
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.