Pen and paper therapy: daily Letter-Writing may ease shame before eating disorder care
NCT ID NCT04174703
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a two-week online self-compassionate letter-writing exercise can reduce shame and guilt about weight and body image, and increase readiness for treatment in people with eating disorders. 160 adults with anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating disorder who are waiting to start group therapy will be randomly assigned to the letter-writing task or a control group. The goal is to see if this simple practice can improve treatment outcomes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- self-compassionate letter-writing intervention
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this simple writing exercise could help people with eating disorders feel less shame and be more ready to engage in treatment.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with no blinding, so results may not be generalizable. The intervention is brief and may not produce lasting change.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
Hamilton, Ontario, L8N3K7, Canada
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