Developing Identity: An Eating Disorder Randomized Clinical Trial

Summary

The purpose of this research study is to test a new type of counseling developed to decrease symptoms of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and improve health and well-being in women with these eating disorders. At this time, the most effective form of treatment for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa is cognitive behavioral therapy. However, this form of treatment leads to a complete absence of symptoms in only about 50% of persons completing the treatment program. In this study we will test the effectiveness of a new form of counseling that focuses on identifying and building personal strengths and positive views of the self as the means to decrease eating disorder symptoms and improve health. This study will involve 150 women between the ages of 18 and 35 years who currently have symptoms of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. To participate in this study, women must also be: 1) not pregnant, 2) without any other diagnosable mental disorder, 3) not currently taking medications for their eating disorder or other mental disorder symptoms, 4) not ill enough to require inpatient treatment for their eating disorder and 5) willing to refrain from seeking other treatment for their eating disorder for the duration of this study. Each participant will participate in a 20-week treatment program that includes nutritional counseling and medical care. Both of these forms of treatment are considered by the American Psychiatric Association to be essential parts of treatment for eating disorders and have been found help to reduce symptoms. In addition, participants will receive one of two types of counseling:

1. Experimental counseling that focuses on building strengths and positive self-views
2. Standard counseling that helps the participant identify and solve problems that are believed to contribute to their eating disorder symptoms.

The type of counseling that a participant receives will be determined randomly. To determine whether the experimental counseling is effective, eating disorder symptoms, psychological and functional health will be measured before the treatment begins and three times after the treatment ends (immediately after treatment ends, 6 and 12 months later). The findings of this research study are expected to contribute to the development of effective interventions to decrease eating disorder symptoms, and increase health and well-being in women with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Conditions

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Identity Intervention Program

Cognitive behavioral strategies will be used by trained nurse-therapists to facilitate the participant's: a) identification of a small collection of personally meaningful and feasible desired possible selves, b) prioritization of the desired possible selves as short and long-term goals, c) identification, elaboration, implementation and evaluation of cognitive and behavioral strategies to achieve the desired possible self selected as the goal, and d) identification of internal and external barriers that interfere with achieving the possible self goal and utilization of active problem solving strategies to overcome the barriers.

BEHAVIORAL

Supportive Psychotherapy for the Eating Disorders

SPI is a 20-week program with a one-hour individual psychotherapy session scheduled each week. The SPI is organized in three stages: 1) Stage 1 (Sessions 1-8) including assessment of the current and past ED history, collection of personal and family history, and identification of problems contributing to the ED; 2) Stage 2 (Sessions 9-16) aims include exploration of underlying emotional problems, increased self-disclosure and expression of feelings, and fostering independence; and 3) Stage 3 (Sessions 17-20) includes continued exploration of underlying problems and implications for future behaviors and termination.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Michigan

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Karen F Stein, PhD · University of Rochester

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

35 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2002-04-30

Primary Completion

2006-12-31

Completion

2006-12-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations