This study is not yet accepting patients

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

a study on Anorexia

Summary

Eligibility
for people ages 16-25 (full criteria)
Location
at UCSF
Dates
study started
study ends around
Principal Investigator
by Anoushka Sinha, MD, MS (ucsf)
Headshot of Anoushka Sinha
Anoushka Sinha

Description

Summary

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.

Official Title

Incorporating Narrative Into the Treatment of Youth With Anorexia Nervosa

Keywords

Anorexia Nervosa, Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series

Eligibility

You can join if…

Open to people ages 16-25

  • 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

You CAN'T join if...

  • 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

Location

  • UCSF Nancy Friend Pritzker Psychiatry Building
    San Francisco California 94158 United States

Lead Scientist at University of California Health

  • Anoushka Sinha, MD, MS (ucsf)
    Anoushka Sinha, MD, MS, is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at UCSF, where she provides comprehensive primary and specialty care for adolescents and young adults, with in eating disorders, reproductive health, and mental health.

Details

Status
not yet accepting patients
Start Date
Completion Date
(estimated)
Sponsor
University of California, San Francisco
ID
NCT07579442
Study Type
Interventional
Participants
Expecting 10 study participants
Last Updated