Actively Recruiting
Adapting Exposure Therapy to Target Anxiety About Weight Gain in Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa
Led by Milton S. Hershey Medical Center · Updated on 2026-04-08
16
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
13 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating Exposure Therapy (Exp-AN) as a virtual treatment for adolescents aged 14 to 17 years with anorexia nervosa. This pilot study recruits participants from eating disorder clinic waitlists and clinician referrals at two medical centers. The therapy aims to reduce anxiety about weight gain by encouraging patients to face their fears through carefully guided challenges. Participants receive 20 weekly virtual sessions lasting 40 to 60 minutes each. Sessions combine individual therapy time with parent involvement, where parents help support skill development and treatment goals. Exp-AN includes education on the effects of undereating, in-session weight exposures, meal planning, reviewing eating behaviors, exposure exercises, and relapse prevention. Before treatment, participants complete interviews, questionnaires, and lab tests. They also take part in assessments at mid-treatment, end-of-treatment, and three months after treatment ends. Parents will complete parallel interviews. Participants cannot have other psychotherapy during the study but can continue care from dieticians, nutritionists, and psychiatrists. The study measures eating disorder symptoms, anxiety, body shape concerns, and other related outcomes throughout the treatment and follow-up periods.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Adapting Exposure for Adolescent AN
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Has a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (AN)
- English speaking
- Mentally stable for an outpatient level of care
- Living with at least one parent/caregiver
- Less than or equal to 90% of expected body weight
You will not qualify if you...
- Younger than 14 years old or older than 17 years old
- Has a current psychotherapist and not open to pausing treatment for the duration of the study
- Has a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder
- Acutely suicidal
- Pregnant
- Meets DSM-5 criteria for a psychotic disorder and/or has an intellectual disability
- Non-English speaking
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Up to 20 sessions over several weeks
Participants engage in Exposure Therapy for Anorexia (Exp-AN), which targets anxiety about weight gain using in vivo and imaginal exposure exercises across four core modules.
Weekly visits for up to 20 sessions
Duration - 3 months
Participants are monitored for outcomes and symptom changes after treatment completion.
1 follow-up visit at 3 months post-treatment
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Penn State College of Medicine
Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States, 17033
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Jamal Essayli, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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