Anorexia nervosa

This study tests whether personalized motivational text messages can help adults with anorexia nervosa increase their motivation to change and their calorie intake. Participants receive these texts alongside cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is provided at no cost. The st…

This study evaluates a comprehensive treatment model for eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. The ITA model combines outpatient therapy, day hospital, and hospitalization tailored to each patient's needs. Researchers will track changes in symptoms and well-b…

This study tested a 5-day family-based treatment for adults with anorexia nervosa. The treatment, called NEW FED TR, uses insights from neurobiology to address personality traits linked to the disorder. 93 adults with anorexia and a family member or friend participated. The goal …

This study tested whether romosozumab, a drug that builds bone, can improve bone density in women with anorexia nervosa. Thirty women received either romosozumab or a placebo for 12 months, followed by a single dose of zoledronic acid. The goal was to see if bone density and stru…

This study tested whether denosumab, a drug used for osteoporosis, can improve bone density in women with anorexia nervosa. Thirty women received either denosumab or placebo injections over 12 months, with an optional year of alendronate. The goal was to see if bone density and s…

This study tested a virtual program called FED-F that helps people with anorexia nervosa face their fears about food, weight gain, body sensations, and social situations. The goal is to prevent relapse after intensive treatment. The study included 70 adults who had recently compl…

This study tests whether an 8-week program combining gentle yoga and tai chi with acceptance-based techniques can lower the risk of developing anorexia nervosa in female college students who already have elevated body shape concerns. Participants are randomly assigned to the mind…

This pilot study tests whether a ketone drink can help people with anorexia or bulimia by reducing the drive to binge or restrict food. Forty participants will take the drink twice daily for two weeks, and researchers will measure changes in eating behaviors, mood, and brain acti…

This completed trial tested whether virtual reality therapy can help people with anorexia or bulimia. 96 participants either received virtual reality sessions plus usual care, or usual care alone. In the VR sessions, they created an avatar representing their 'eating disorder voic…

This small, completed study tested whether a gentle brain stimulation technique called tDCS, combined with computer-based cognitive training, is safe and tolerable for adults with anorexia or atypical anorexia. One participant received either real or fake stimulation over 10 sess…

This study tested two types of talk therapy for teenagers with anorexia nervosa, delivered at home instead of a clinic. 77 teens and their families participated to see if home-based treatment is effective and acceptable. The goal was to improve weight, eating habits, and family s…

This small pilot study tested whether a technique called bilateral stimulation (side-to-side tapping) could help people with eating disorders feel less anxious after eating foods they normally avoid. Eight adults in outpatient treatment either received standard care alone or stan…

This pilot study tested whether a home-based, supervised exercise program is acceptable and safe for 36 women with anorexia nervosa. Participants were asked to complete 8 weekly exercise sessions at home. The study measured how many people joined and finished the program, their s…

This study developed and tested a mobile app with coaching and a social network for adults with anorexia nervosa who recently left intensive treatment. The goal was to see if the app could help reduce eating disorder symptoms compared to usual care. 90 women participated, and the…

This study tested a self-guided smartphone program for women with disordered eating. Twenty women used their phones to track eating habits for two weeks, then received two personalized treatment modules. Researchers checked if the program was easy to use and if it helped reduce s…

This study tested whether a program of smelling different odors could help 100 hospitalized anorexia patients recall specific positive memories from their past. Over 8 sessions, participants smelled two scents each time and were encouraged to talk about memories and feelings link…

This study tested whether an 8-week mindfulness app is practical and liked by people with anorexia or bulimia. 32 adults who were already in eating disorder treatment used the app at home. The goal was to see if they would complete the modules and find them helpful, not to cure t…

This pilot study tested whether adding weekly Hatha yoga or a body-focused therapy (FSB) to standard treatment can improve body image and eating behaviors in young women aged 16-25 with anorexia or bulimia. 54 participants were split into three groups: standard care alone, standa…

This study tested a new therapy that uses virtual reality and eye-tracking to help teenage girls with anorexia nervosa. The goal was to reduce their focus on weight-related body parts and ease body dissatisfaction and fear of gaining weight. 75 teens participated, and the approac…

This study tested whether a simple email program could help adults with eating disorders while they wait for specialized care. 78 people on a waitlist were randomly assigned to receive weekly educational emails for four weeks or no emails. The goal was to see if the materials cou…

Researchers at Nantes University Hospital are studying central coherence, the brain's ability to pull complex information into a coherent whole, in women with restrictive anorexia nervosa. The study compares patients in the active phase of the illness with healthy volunteers. All…

This study looks at how autistic people who also have anorexia nervosa differ in brain structure and behavior from autistic people without anorexia. Researchers want to understand if 'masking' (acting non-autistic to fit in) is linked to eating disorder symptoms and brain changes…

This study looked at how exercise changes body image, mood, and certain blood markers in young women aged 16-25 with restrictive eating disorders. Researchers measured responses during lab-based exercise and rest. The goal is to better understand driven exercise—a common symptom—…

This study looks at what makes some women naturally lean without dieting or eating disorders. Researchers will compare eating habits, physical activity, body composition, and appetite responses in three groups: constitutionally lean women, normal-weight women, and women with anor…

This study looks at why young women with anorexia nervosa lose bone density. Researchers will compare 160 patients with 160 healthy women to measure bone mass and check hormones and other markers. The goal is to find the key factors behind bone loss, which could lead to better tr…

This study looked at 30 undernourished teens with anorexia, aged 11 to 17, to see how taking oral phosphorus supplements for 6 months changes a hormone called FGF23, which helps control phosphate and vitamin D levels. The goal was to understand the link between phosphorus intake …

This study looked at how teenage girls with anorexia nervosa learn from rewards and punishments compared to healthy teens. Researchers used brain scans and computer tasks to understand differences in decision-making and brain connections. The goal was to learn more about the cond…

This completed observational study from Karolinska Institutet looked at 312 children and teens with obesity who used a digital treatment tool called Evira at home. Researchers checked their medical records to see if any developed signs of disordered eating or were diagnosed with …

This study aimed to find new blood markers that can show liver damage in people with anorexia nervosa. Researchers compared blood samples from 19 patients with and without signs of liver injury. The goal is to improve detection and understanding of liver problems in this conditio…

This study looked at how common liver scarring (fibrosis) is in people with anorexia nervosa. Researchers used a special scan called Fibroscan to measure liver stiffness in 43 patients when they were admitted to the hospital. The goal was to learn more about liver health in this …

This study checked whether the gut lining becomes leaky in women with anorexia nervosa due to severe starvation. Researchers measured sugar levels in urine after drinking special sugars to test intestinal permeability in 23 patients and compared them to 46 healthy controls. They …

This study compared a new personalized treatment for eating disorders (called Network-Informed Personalized Treatment) with the current standard therapy (Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). 80 adults with eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia took part. The goal was to se…

This completed observational study investigated sexual dysfunction in women with anorexia nervosa, comparing them to healthy women. Researchers used questionnaires to measure sexual function and eating disorder symptoms. The goal was to understand how anorexia may affect sexual h…

This completed study surveyed 3,100 adults in Slovakia to find out how many people have mental disorders like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or addiction. Researchers used a standard interview tool to measure current and lifetime rates, and looked at who gets help and who doesn't. Th…

This study aimed to find out if people with eating disorders have unusual antibodies that attack natural chemicals controlling appetite. Researchers collected blood samples from 211 participants, including patients with anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating, and healthy volunteers. …

This study followed 180 people with anorexia nervosa for up to 4 years to see how their bone density changed over time. Researchers measured bone mineral density using a special X-ray scan and also checked blood levels of certain hormones linked to fat tissue. The goal was to und…

This study followed 118 women with anorexia nervosa after they left the hospital with a healthy weight. Researchers wanted to see how many would relapse within the next 20 weeks and why. The goal is to find ways to improve treatment and reduce the chance of relapse after discharg…

This study looked at how teenagers with anorexia nervosa feel about taking antidepressants. Researchers interviewed 15 adolescents aged 12 to 25 who had been prescribed an SSRI antidepressant. The goal was to understand their personal experiences, including both positive and nega…

This study looked at whether teenagers with restrictive eating disorders, like anorexia or ARFID, have different sensory processing compared to healthy teens. Researchers used questionnaires to measure sensory sensitivity and also screened for autism and anxiety. The goal was to …

This study looked at how women with anorexia nervosa perceive sounds they make themselves compared to sounds made by others. Researchers tested 31 women (some with anorexia, some healthy) by having them compare the loudness of tones they triggered versus tones triggered by the ex…