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Recruiting NCT07579442

Incorporating Narrative Into the Treatment of Youth With Anorexia Nervosa (Virtual)

No phase Interventional Anorexia Nervosa

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Anorexia Nervosa. Basic parameters: 16 years — 25 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
United States
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →

Official title

Incorporating Narrative Into the Treatment of Youth With Anorexia Nervosa

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a narrative medicine (NM) curriculum can enhance self-expression, reflection, and resilience in adolescents and young adults with anorexia nervosa. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does participation in an NM curriculum improve self-expression and reflection in individuals with anorexia nervosa? * Does engaging in creative writing and group discussion promote resilience and emotional processing in this population? Participants will be 16-25 years old, medically stable for outpatient eating disorder therapy, and actively engaged in treatment. Those with active suicidal ideation, recent non-suicidal self-injury, or a co-occurring personality disorder will not be eligible. Participants will: * Attend six weekly workshops focused on themes such as self-definition, kindness, resilience, and possibility * Engage in close reading of visual or written texts * Complete creative writing exercises in response to prompts * Participate in group discussions and sharing An optional capstone reading event will provide a supportive space for participants to share their work with peers, loved ones, and providers, fostering connection and community. This study aims to explore the role of narrative medicine in eating disorder treatment and assess its potential benefits for psychological well-being and self-expression.

Interventions

  • Behavioral Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series
    The Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series is a structured six-week behavioral intervention designed to enhance self-expression, reflection, and resilience in adolescents and young adults recovering from eating disorders. This intervention differs from traditional psychotherapeutic or psychoeducational approaches by integrating literary analysis, creative writing, and guided discussion as therapeutic tools. Each one-hour weekly workshop includes: * Close reading of visual or written texts rel

Primary outcome measures

  • Number of participants in each session [Time frame: Immediately post-intervention (Week 6)]
  • Satisfaction with intervention components using 5-point Likert scales and semi-structured individual interviews [Time frame: Immediately post-intervention (Week 6)]
Secondary outcome measures (5)
  • Illness-Identity Centrality [Time frame: Pre- (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6)]
  • Social Connectedness [Time frame: Pre- (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6)]
  • Depression Symptoms [Time frame: Pre- (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6)]
  • Anxiety Symptoms [Time frame: Pre- (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6)]
  • Eating Disorder Severity [Time frame: Pre- (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6)]

Eligibility 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

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
N/A
Model
Single group
Masking
Open label
Primary purpose
Supportive care

Study locations

United States · 1 center
  • UCSF Nancy Friend Pritzker Psychiatry Building — San Francisco

Publications

  • Knio L, Sridhar H. Phenomenology of Identity: Narrative Medicine Curricula in the Care of Eating Disorders. J Med Humanit. 2025 Dec;46(4):673-696. doi: 10.1007/s10912-025-09929-6. Epub 2025 Jan 27. PMID 39869237

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07579442 · 24-43017 (b)

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗