National Highly Specialized Care for Severe Self-Harm and Eating Disorders in Swedish Youth
Official title: National Highly Specialized Care (NHV) for Children and Adolescents With Severe Self-Harm and Eating Disorders: Evaluation of Treatment Experiences, Feasibility, and Clinical Outcomes
Run by Karolinska Institutet · NCT07898059 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This observational study tests how well NHV, a highly specialized care program, works for children and teens with severe self-harm or eating disorders by asking patients and their parents about their experiences and what changes they notice.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 13 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Karolinska Institutet Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Stockholm and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 4, 2026 |
| Main results expected | May 31, 2030 |
| Study ends | May 31, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | October 27, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07898059 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children and adolescents aged 13–17 receiving NHV for severe self-harm or severe eating disorders at BUP Stockholm or SCÄ, with parental/guardian participation and informed consent.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with acute medical or psychiatric stabilization needs or language barriers preventing questionnaire completion may not benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This prospective, observational study evaluates National Highly Specialized Care (NHV) provided at two Stockholm services for youths with severe self-harm or eating disorders. It uses qualitative interviews at treatment completion and one year later to capture patient and parent experiences, alongside secondary measures of feasibility, adherence, and changes in symptoms and functioning. NHV typically involves 12–13 weeks of intensive inpatient and psychotherapeutic treatment tailored by multidisciplinary teams, with approaches like DBT, FBT, or CBT as clinically appropriate. Data are collected during routine clinical care rather than mandated by the research protocol, focusing on real-world outcomes and experiences. The study aims to identify barriers to successful treatment and how NHV can facilitate transition to less intensive care when possible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, NHV could improve patient experiences and functional outcomes for youths with severe self-harm or eating disorders and guide more effective, tailored care transitions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work on NHV-like highly specialized care suggests potential benefits, but this exact approach in this setting is novel and exploratory.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children and adolescents aged 13-17 years who meet the eligibility criteria for and are receiving National Highly Specialized Care (NHV) for severe self-harm or eating disorders at one of the participating clinical units. * Parents or legal guardians of children and adolescents receiving NHV at the participating clinical units. * Informed consent to study participation, according to applicable procedures. Exclusion Criteria: * Acute medical or psychiatric conditions requiring immediate healthcare interventions that temporarily preclude study participation. * Inability to independently complete study questionnaires, for example due to language-related difficulties.
Where it's running
-
Stockholm's child and adolescent psychiatry (BUP Stockholm)
Stockholm, Sweden Recruiting -
Stockholm Centre for Eating Disorders (SCÄ)
Stockholm, Sweden Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Martina Wolf-Arehult, PhD — Karolinska Institutet
- Study coordinator: Sanna Marek, MSc
- Email: sanna.marek@regionstockholm.se
- Phone: +46812353170
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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National Highly Specialized Care for adults with treatment-resistant self-harm and eating disorders (Substudy 1)
This study tests how people with severe, hard-to-turge self-harm or eating disorders in Sweden experience NHV care and whether the treatment helps with symptoms and daily functioning.
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Adolescent Self-Injury Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) vs TAU
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Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Therapy vs Structured Lifestyle on Weight and Health
This study tests whether starting a GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight loss works differently from a structured diet-and-exercise program in improving heart and metabolic health for adults with overweight or obesity.
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FlexED: Full Threshold Body-Image Intervention for Young Women
A mobile, gamified ACT-based program is tested to see if it helps young women with eating disorders feel less distressed about their bodies and reduce symptoms.
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.