Metacognitive training to help adolescents with anorexia nervosa
Feasibility and Acceptability of Metacognitive Training for Eating Disorders (MCT-ED) in Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa
This study tries a metacognitive training program to see if it is practical and acceptable for Portuguese-speaking adolescents (13–19) with anorexia nervosa or atypical anorexia nervosa in outpatient care.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 14 (estimated) |
| Ages | 13 Years to 19 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Évora Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Loures) |
| Trial ID | NCT07435818 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a feasibility pilot of Metacognitive Training for Eating Disorders (MCT-ED) aimed at reducing rigid thinking, perfectionism, and cognitive biases that help maintain anorexia nervosa symptoms. The intervention is delivered to adolescents currently followed in outpatient eating disorder services, using a manualised session checklist and routine supervision to ensure fidelity. The primary focus is on process outcomes—recruitment, retention, adherence, and safety—rather than clinical efficacy. Sessions are provided via videoconference when appropriate and the team documents engagement and delivery for reproducibility.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Portuguese-speaking adolescents aged 13–19 with a DSM-5-TR or ICD-11 diagnosis of anorexia nervosa or atypical anorexia nervosa who are currently followed in an eating disorder outpatient consultation and medically stable for outpatient care.
Not a fit: Patients who are acutely suicidal or imminently at risk of hospitalization, have current psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or substance dependence, are medically unstable, or are unable to participate in videoconference sessions are unlikely to benefit from this outpatient feasibility program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, MCT-ED could help reduce cognitive rigidity and perfectionism in adolescents with anorexia nervosa, improving engagement with treatment and potentially leading to better clinical outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Metacognitive training methods have shown promise in other psychiatric conditions and early work on MCT adaptations for eating disorders is emerging, but robust randomized evidence for MCT-ED in adolescents is still limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adolescents aged 13 to 19 years; * Diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa or Atypical Anorexia Nervosa; confirmed by the treating child and adolescent psychiatrist according to DSM-5-TR or ICD-11 criteria; * Currently followed in an Eating Disorder Outpatient Consultation; * Fluent in Portuguese. Exclusion Criteria: * Acute suicidal ideation or behaviour requiring immediate clinical intervention; * Imminent risk of hospitalization due to clinical deterioration; * Current diagnosis of psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or substance dependence; * Any clinical condition that, in the judgment of the treating clinician, would make participation in a videoconference-based intervention inappropriate.
Where this trial is running
Loures
- Hospital Beatriz Ângelo - Unidade Local de Saúde Loures-Odivelas, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Loures, Portugal — Loures, Portugal (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Andreia Espírito Santo, PhD Student — NOVA National School of Public Health, Comprehensive Health Research Centre, REAL, CCAL, Portugal
- Study coordinator: Andreia Espírito Santo, PhD Student
- Email: acj.santo@ensp.unl.pt
- Phone: 00351219 847 200
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.