Using virtual reality to help female adolescents with anorexia nervosa and body image issues
Efficiency of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in the Management of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in Female Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa: a Randomized, Controlled Superiority Study
This study is testing if virtual reality therapy can help teenage girls with anorexia feel better about their body image compared to regular therapy.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 13 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | CHU de Reims Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Reims) |
| Trial ID | NCT04107870 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the effectiveness of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) in managing body dysmorphic disorder among female adolescents diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. Participants will undergo VRET sessions and compare the outcomes with traditional psychomotor therapy. The study aims to determine if VRET can provide a more effective treatment option for this challenging symptom associated with anorexia. The research is particularly focused on adolescents aged 13 to 18 who are fluent in French and have parental consent to participate.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are female adolescents aged 13 to 18 with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and body dysmorphic disorder.
Not a fit: Patients with severe medical complications or critical health conditions related to anorexia nervosa will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a novel and effective treatment for body dysmorphic disorder in adolescents with anorexia nervosa, potentially reducing relapse rates.
How similar studies have performed: While VRET has shown success in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, its application for body dysmorphic disorder in anorexia nervosa is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria : * Female adolescents aged 13 to 18 * with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa of all types (including purgative and hyperphagic) according to the DSM-V * French as first language * agreed to participate in the study * parental authority holders accepting her participation in the study * affiliated to a social security system Patients will not be included in the study: * with a somatic severity criterion: * Total aphagia * Body mass index (BMI) \< 14kg/m² for those over 17 years of age, BMI \< 13.2kg/m² for those aged 15-16 and BMI \< 12.7kg/m² for those aged 13-14. * Confusion * Bradycardia \<40/min, Tachycardia * Blood pressure \< 80/50mmHg * Hypothermia \<35.5°C * Severe metabolic disorders: hypokalemia \< 2.5 mmol/l, hyponatremia \< 125mmol/l or hypernatremia \> 150 mmol/l, hypophosphoremia \< 0.5 mmol/l * Acetonuria, hypoglycemia \< 0.6g/l * Creatinine elevation \> 100micromol/l * Cytolysis \> 4N * Leuconeutropenia \<1000/mm3 * Thrombocytopenia \<6000000/mm3 * Suicide attempt in the last month before inclusion * Receiving benzodiazepine treatment outside the prescription limits. * Psychotic patients or patients with psychoactive substance addiction according to MINI KID criteria (Sheehan DV et al. Reliability and validity of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for children and adolescents (MINI Kid). J Clin Psychiatry 2010;71(3):313-326).
Where this trial is running
Reims
- Damien JOLLY — Reims, France (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Julien EUTROPE
- Email: jeutrope@chu-reims.fr
- Phone: 03 26 78 39 56
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.