Trial Outcomes & Findings for Fear, Gastrointestinal Distress, and Interoception: Physiological and Psychological Mechanisms in Eating Disorders (NCT NCT05382702)

NCT ID: NCT05382702

Last Updated: 2026-04-15

Results Overview

Area under the curve with respect to increase (AUCi) from the 10 minutes period prior to the meal until immediately after the meal will be used to characterize changes in Visual Analogue Scale ratings of momentary fear ranging from "Not at All (0)" to "Extreme (100)." AUCi was calculated as: (((Fear at -10 minutes)+ (Fear at 0 minutes))\*10/2) + (((Fear at 0 Minutes)+(Fear at +10 minutes))\*10/2) - (Fear at -10 minutes)\*20. A more positive score indicates greater increases in fear over the pre to post meal period.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

133 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

-10 minutes, 0 minutes (immediately after the intervention), and 10 minutes post-intervention

Results posted on

2026-04-15

Participant Flow

Participants were assessed for potential eligibility via an online screening survey and phone screen. They then completed diagnostic interviews and questionnaires to confirm eligibility. If eligible, participants were then randomized to test meal condition order.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
High Fat Yogurt - Low Fat Yogurt
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 3.
Low Fat Yogurt - High Fat Yogurt
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 3.
Study Visit 2 (First Test Meal)
STARTED
54
45
Study Visit 2 (First Test Meal)
COMPLETED
47
40
Study Visit 2 (First Test Meal)
NOT COMPLETED
7
5
Study Visit 3 (Second Test Meal)
STARTED
47
40
Study Visit 3 (Second Test Meal)
COMPLETED
40
35
Study Visit 3 (Second Test Meal)
NOT COMPLETED
7
5

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
High Fat Yogurt - Low Fat Yogurt
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 3.
Low Fat Yogurt - High Fat Yogurt
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 3.
Study Visit 2 (First Test Meal)
Withdrawal by Subject
2
2
Study Visit 2 (First Test Meal)
Adverse Event
1
0
Study Visit 2 (First Test Meal)
Lost to Follow-up
4
3
Study Visit 3 (Second Test Meal)
Adverse Event
1
0
Study Visit 3 (Second Test Meal)
Withdrawal by Subject
1
2
Study Visit 3 (Second Test Meal)
Lost to Follow-up
4
3
Study Visit 3 (Second Test Meal)
Experimenter error
1
0

Baseline Characteristics

Fear, Gastrointestinal Distress, and Interoception: Physiological and Psychological Mechanisms in Eating Disorders

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
High Fat Yogurt - Low Fat Yogurt
n=54 Participants
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 3.
Low Fat Yogurt - High Fat Yogurt
n=45 Participants
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 3.
Total
n=99 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
3 Participants
n=193 Participants
5 Participants
n=193 Participants
8 Participants
n=386 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants
n=193 Participants
0 Participants
n=193 Participants
1 Participants
n=386 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
3 Participants
n=193 Participants
2 Participants
n=193 Participants
5 Participants
n=386 Participants
Age, Continuous
19.76 age in years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.874 • n=193 Participants
20.27 age in years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.557 • n=193 Participants
19.99 age in years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.196 • n=386 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
54 Participants
n=193 Participants
45 Participants
n=193 Participants
99 Participants
n=386 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants
n=193 Participants
0 Participants
n=193 Participants
0 Participants
n=386 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=193 Participants
0 Participants
n=193 Participants
0 Participants
n=386 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants
n=193 Participants
1 Participants
n=193 Participants
2 Participants
n=386 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=193 Participants
0 Participants
n=193 Participants
0 Participants
n=386 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
1 Participants
n=193 Participants
0 Participants
n=193 Participants
1 Participants
n=386 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
48 Participants
n=193 Participants
39 Participants
n=193 Participants
87 Participants
n=386 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
51 Participants
n=193 Participants
43 Participants
n=193 Participants
94 Participants
n=386 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=193 Participants
0 Participants
n=193 Participants
0 Participants
n=386 Participants
Trait gastrointestinal distress
2.64 Scores on scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION .708 • n=193 Participants
2.58 Scores on scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION .723 • n=193 Participants
2.61 Scores on scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION .712 • n=386 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: -10 minutes, 0 minutes (immediately after the intervention), and 10 minutes post-intervention

Population: In total, 75 people completed both test meal visits. However, only 68 individuals are included in the analyses of fear. We excluded the data of one participant whose responses suggested she did not attend to item content and the data of 5 individuals who failed to eat at least 85% of the yogurt test meal at any visit. One participant's self report data was missing at the -10 minute mark and so AUCi could not be calculated.

Area under the curve with respect to increase (AUCi) from the 10 minutes period prior to the meal until immediately after the meal will be used to characterize changes in Visual Analogue Scale ratings of momentary fear ranging from "Not at All (0)" to "Extreme (100)." AUCi was calculated as: (((Fear at -10 minutes)+ (Fear at 0 minutes))\*10/2) + (((Fear at 0 Minutes)+(Fear at +10 minutes))\*10/2) - (Fear at -10 minutes)\*20. A more positive score indicates greater increases in fear over the pre to post meal period.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
High Fat Yogurt - Low Fat Yogurt
n=36 Participants
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 3.
Low Fat Yogurt - High Fat Yogurt
n=32 Participants
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 3.
Subjective Rating of Fear
High Fat Condition Fear AUCi
-36.9444 units on scale*minutes
Standard Deviation 306.65774
-23.9219 units on scale*minutes
Standard Deviation 237.37717
Subjective Rating of Fear
Low Fat Condition Fear AUCi
-47.3611 units on scale*minutes
Standard Deviation 266.97642
85.6250 units on scale*minutes
Standard Deviation 191.48296

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: -10 minutes, 0 minutes (immediately after the intervention), and 10 minutes post-intervention

Population: In total, 75 people completed both test meal visits. However, only 52 individuals are included in the analyses of skin conductance activity. We excluded the data of 5 individuals who failed to eat at least 85% of the yogurt test meal at any visit. 18 individuals had data excluded due to failure of EDA data collection (e.g., average activity under 1 microseimen at any point).

Skin conductance data will be collected in microsiemens using a Biopac Bionomadix EDA System during the period before and after the test meal. The difference in average microsiemens will be computed for each test meal using the following equation: (Average activity for the 10 minute meal period) - (average activity for the 10 minutes prior to the meal). A higher difference indicates increased physiological activation during the meal period relative to the pre-meal period.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
High Fat Yogurt - Low Fat Yogurt
n=28 Participants
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 3.
Low Fat Yogurt - High Fat Yogurt
n=24 Participants
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 3.
Difference in Average Skin Conductance
High Fat Condition- Difference
.5076 Difference in average microseimens
Standard Deviation 1.01102
.4773 Difference in average microseimens
Standard Deviation 1.09442
Difference in Average Skin Conductance
Low Fat Condition Difference
1.0938 Difference in average microseimens
Standard Deviation 1.28887
.6715 Difference in average microseimens
Standard Deviation 1.24430

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: -10 minutes, 0 minutes (immediately after the intervention), and 10 minutes post-intervention

Population: In total, 75 people completed both test meal visits. However, only 68 individuals are included in the analyses of fear. We excluded the data of one participant whose responses suggested she did not attend to item content and the data of 5 individuals who failed to eat at least 85% of the yogurt test meal at any visit. One participant's self report data was missing at the -10 minute mark and so AUCi could not be calculated.

Gastrointestinal distress will be the averaged visual analogue scale ratings of "Nausea" and "Stomach Ache" ranging from "Not At All (0)" to "Extreme (100)." Area under the curve with respect to increase (AUCi) from the 10 minutes period prior to the meal until immediately after the meal will be used to characterize changes gastrointestinal distress. AUCi was calculated as: (((Gastrointestinal distress at -10 minutes)+ (Gastrointestinal distress at 0 minutes))\*10/2) + (((Gastrointestinal distress at 0 Minutes)+(Gastrointestinal distress at +10 minutes))\*10/2) - (Gastrointestinal distress at -10 minutes)\*20. A more positive score indicates greater increases in gastrointestinal distress over the pre to post meal period.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
High Fat Yogurt - Low Fat Yogurt
n=36 Participants
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 3.
Low Fat Yogurt - High Fat Yogurt
n=32 Participants
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 3.
Gastrointestinal Distress
High Fat Condition Gastrointestinal Distress AUCi
19.5694 units on scale*minutes
Standard Deviation 239.84132
-2.0469 units on scale*minutes
Standard Deviation 233.24380
Gastrointestinal Distress
Low Fat Condition Gastrointestinal Distress AUCi
-59.5417 units on scale*minutes
Standard Deviation 240.87553
31.5078 units on scale*minutes
Standard Deviation 229.12739

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 0 minutes (immediately after the intervention), 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 90 minutes post-intervention

Population: In total, 75 people completed both test meal visits. However, only 51 individuals are included in the analyses of CCK. We excluded the data of 5 individuals who failed to eat at least 85% of the yogurt test meal at any visit. AUCi could not be calculated for three individuals who were missing at least 1 sample. Finally, 16 individuals did not have plasma samples collected due to difficulties placing an IV, an adverse reaction to IV placement, or limited nursing staff availability.

Blood was drawn repeatedly. Cholecystokinin (CCK) values in plasma were quantified in ng/mL using a commercially available enzyme immunoassay (Phoenix Pharmaceuticals EK-069-02). Area under the curve with respect to increase (AUCi) was calculated from the time period immediately before the test meal to 90 minutes after the test meal. AUCi was calculated as: (((CCK at 0 Minutes)+( CCK at +10 minutes))\*10/2) + (((CCK at 10 Minutes)+( CCK at +20 minutes))\*10/2) + (((CCK at 20 Minutes)+( CCK at +30 minutes))\*10/2) + (((CCK at 30 Minutes)+( CCK at +60 minutes))\*30/2) + (((CCK at+ 60 Minutes)+( CCK at +90 minutes))\*30/2) - (CCK at -10 minutes)\*90. A more positive score indicates greater increases in CCK over the pre to post meal period.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
High Fat Yogurt - Low Fat Yogurt
n=24 Participants
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 3.
Low Fat Yogurt - High Fat Yogurt
n=27 Participants
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 3.
Cholecystokinin Response
Low Fat Condition CCK AUCi
.3726 ng*minute/mL
Standard Deviation 87.71157
5.2803 ng*minute/mL
Standard Deviation 80.74009
Cholecystokinin Response
High Fat Condition CCK AUCi
.5147 ng*minute/mL
Standard Deviation 115.38843
20.9534 ng*minute/mL
Standard Deviation 73.71224

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 0 minutes (immediately after the intervention), 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 90 minutes post-intervention

Population: In total, 75 people completed both test meal visits. However, only 51 individuals are included in the analyses of PYY. We excluded the data of 5 individuals who failed to eat at least 85% of the yogurt test meal at any visit. AUCi could not be calculated for three individuals who were missing at least 1 sample. Finally, 16 individuals did not have plasma samples collected due to difficulties placing an IV, an adverse reaction to IV placement, or limited nursing staff availability.

Blood was drawn repeatedly. Peptide YY (PYY) values in plasma were quantified in ng/mL using a commercially available enzyme immunoassay (Phoenix Pharmaceuticals EK-059-02). Area under the curve with respect to increase (AUCi) was calculated from the time period immediately before the test meal to 90 minutes after the test meal. AUCi was calculated as: (((PYY at 0 Minutes)+( PYY at +10 minutes))\*10/2) + (((PYY at 10 Minutes)+(PYY at +20 minutes))\*10/2) + (((PYY at 20 Minutes)+( PYY at +30 minutes))\*10/2) + (((PYY at 30 Minutes)+( PYY at +60 minutes))\*30/2) + (((PYY at+ 60 Minutes)+( PYY at +90 minutes))\*30/2) - (PYY at -10 minutes)\*90. A more positive score indicates greater increases in PYY over the pre to post meal period.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
High Fat Yogurt - Low Fat Yogurt
n=24 Participants
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 3.
Low Fat Yogurt - High Fat Yogurt
n=27 Participants
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 3.
Peptide YY Response
High Fat Condition PYY AUCi
-.0336 ng*minute/mL
Standard Deviation 76.31657
7.6352 ng*minute/mL
Standard Deviation 38.30591
Peptide YY Response
Low Fat Condition PYY AUCi
25.0249 ng*minute/mL
Standard Deviation 98.80488
3.6242 ng*minute/mL
Standard Deviation 58.12783

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 0 minutes (immediately after the intervention), 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 90 minutes post-intervention

Population: In total, 75 people completed both test meal visits. However, only 64 individuals are included in the analyses of fullness. We excluded the data of one participant whose responses suggested she did not attend to item content and the data of 5 individuals who failed to eat at least 85% of the yogurt test meal at any visit. One participant's self-report data was missing at the -10 minute mark and 4 participants were missing data at the 90 minute mark. As a result, AUCI could not be calculated.

Fullness will be the averaged visual analogue scale ratings of "full" and "satiated(satisfied)" ranging from "Not At All (0)" to "Extreme (100)." Area under the curve with respect to increase (AUCi) will be used to characterize changes in fullness from immediately before the test meal to 90 minutes after. AUCi was calculated as: (((Fullness at -10 minutes)+ (Fullness at 0 minutes))\*10/2) + (((Fullness at 0 Minutes)+( Fullness at +10 minutes))\*10/2) + (((Fullness at 10 Minutes)+( Fullness at +20 minutes))\*10/2) + (((Fullness at 20 Minutes)+( Fullness at +30 minutes))\*10/2) + (((Fullness at 30 Minutes)+( Fullness at +60 minutes))\*30/2) + (((Fullness at 60 Minutes)+( Fullness at +90 minutes))\*30/2) - (Fullness at -10 minutes)\*100. A more positive score indicates greater increases in fullness over the pre to post meal period.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
High Fat Yogurt - Low Fat Yogurt
n=33 Participants
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 3.
Low Fat Yogurt - High Fat Yogurt
n=31 Participants
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 3.
Subjective Rating of Fullness
High Fat Condition Fullness AUCi
1311.9697 units on scale*minutes
Standard Deviation 1881.42926
2123.7097 units on scale*minutes
Standard Deviation 2164.73650
Subjective Rating of Fullness
Low Fat Condition Fullness AUCi
1612.9545 units on scale*minutes
Standard Deviation 2067.52347
1769.8387 units on scale*minutes
Standard Deviation 1785.04236

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 60 minutes post-intervention

Population: In total, 75 people completed both test meal visits. However, only 69 individuals are included in the analysis of urge to restrict. We excluded the data of one participant whose responses suggested she did not attend to item content and the data of 5 individuals those who failed to eat at least 85% of the yogurt test meal at any visit.

Visual analogue scales will assess momentary "urge to restrict" from "Not At All" (0) to "Extreme" (100). The 60 minute assessment will be used for the exploratory serial mediation model.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
High Fat Yogurt - Low Fat Yogurt
n=37 Participants
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 3.
Low Fat Yogurt - High Fat Yogurt
n=32 Participants
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'low fat' at Study Visit 2 and yogurt described as 'high fat' at Study Visit 3.
Urges to Restrict Food Intake
High Fat Condition 60 Min Urge to Restrict
34.6486 units on scale
Standard Deviation 26.71269
42.0938 units on scale
Standard Deviation 27.66547
Urges to Restrict Food Intake
Low Fat Condition 60 Min Urge to Restrict
32.3243 units on scale
Standard Deviation 23.53963
45.125 units on scale
Standard Deviation 26.78318

Adverse Events

High Fat Yogurt

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 8 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Low Fat Yogurt

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 4 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
High Fat Yogurt
n=83 participants at risk;n=99 participants at risk
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'high fat'
Low Fat Yogurt
n=82 participants at risk;n=99 participants at risk
Participants will eat yogurt described as 'low fat'
General disorders
Vasovagal Response to IV Insertion
9.6%
8/83 • From enrollment to end of Study Visit 3, up to 3 months
4.9%
4/82 • From enrollment to end of Study Visit 3, up to 3 months

Additional Information

Jean Forney

Ohio University

Phone: 740-593-1085

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place