Using narrative medicine to help young people with anorexia nervosa
Incorporating Narrative Into the Treatment of Youth With Anorexia Nervosa
This study is testing if a series of creative writing workshops can help young people with anorexia nervosa express themselves better and feel more resilient.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 15 (estimated) |
| Ages | 16 Years to 25 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Francisco Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (San Francisco, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT06849830 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of a narrative medicine curriculum designed to enhance self-expression, reflection, and resilience in adolescents and young adults suffering from anorexia nervosa. Participants aged 16-25, who are medically stable and engaged in outpatient treatment, will attend six weekly workshops that include creative writing exercises and group discussions focused on themes like self-definition and resilience. The study aims to determine if these activities can improve emotional processing and overall well-being in this population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents and young adults aged 16-25 with a confirmed diagnosis of anorexia nervosa who are currently engaged in outpatient treatment.
Not a fit: Patients who are medically unstable, have active suicidal ideation, or suffer from severe cognitive impairments may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a novel therapeutic avenue for improving emotional resilience and self-expression in young individuals with anorexia nervosa.
How similar studies have performed: While narrative medicine is a growing field, this specific application in treating anorexia nervosa is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in previous studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 16-25 years old * have a DSM-5 diagnosis of AN (confirmed by the UCSF Eating Disorders Program clinical team), * currently engaged in outpatient eating disorder treatment, ensuring medical stability and capacity for a group-based intervention * English fluency to engage in reflective writing and discussions * Cognitive ability to meaningfully participate in narrative-based exercises Exclusion Criteria: * Currently medically unstable or require inpatient hospitalization * History of psychosis, schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, or personality disorder * Severe neurocognitive impairment that would prevent engagement with the intervention * Active suicidal ideation or non-suicidal self-injury within the past two months * Insufficient English proficiency to participate in group discussions and writing exercises
Where this trial is running
San Francisco, California
- UCSF Nancy Friend Pritzker Psychiatry Building — San Francisco, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Anoushka Sinha, MD, MS — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Anoushka A Sinha, MD, MS
- Email: anoushka.sinha@ucsf.edu
- Phone: 628-286-6116
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.