PRIDE Therapy for Eating Disorders

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Kennedi Burton, B.A.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 1

Sponsor: Auburn University

Disqualifiers: Untreated bipolar, Untreated psychosis, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 17

Duration: 14 weeks

30 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a new therapy called PRIDE Therapy (Promoting Resilience to Improve Disordered Eating) to assist people from sexual minority groups with eating disorders. The goal is to determine if the treatment can reduce stigma and improve stress coping related to sexual minority status. Participants will attend therapy sessions that include strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy and discussions on managing stress. This trial may suit individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or another non-heterosexual identity, have an eating disorder, and have experienced discrimination due to their sexual orientation in the past year. Participants should also have internet access and reside in California or certain other states. As a Phase 1 trial, the research focuses on understanding how the treatment works in people, offering participants the chance to be among the first to receive this innovative therapy.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the study staff during the eligibility screening.

What prior data suggests that the PRIDE intervention is safe for participants?

Research shows that the Promoting Resilience to Improve Disordered Eating (PRIDE) treatment is generally easy for participants to handle. Participants in PRIDE therapy reported significant improvements in their eating disorder symptoms and body image. These studies did not find any major negative effects, suggesting that the treatment is safe. However, since this is early research, it is important to note that this trial remains in its first phase. The treatment is primarily being tested for safety, so while the initial results are promising, researchers are still learning about its full safety profile. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about PRIDE Therapy for eating disorders because it combines two innovative approaches: cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders (CBT-E) and sexual minority (SM)-affirmative therapy. This dual approach not only addresses traditional eating disorder issues like self-monitoring and body image but also tackles the unique challenges faced by sexual minority individuals, such as minority stress. By integrating these elements, PRIDE Therapy aims to build resilience and improve coping strategies in a way that current standard treatments do not, offering a more tailored and inclusive option for diverse patients.

What evidence suggests that the PRIDE intervention might be an effective treatment for eating disorders?

Research has shown that the Promoting Resilience to Improve Disordered Eating (PRIDE) program, which participants in this trial will experience, may help treat eating disorders in sexual minority groups. Early results suggest that these therapy sessions can significantly improve eating disorder symptoms, reduce their impact on daily life, and decrease dissatisfaction with body image. The program uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help manage thoughts and behaviors about eating, along with discussions on stress related to being a minority and ways to cope. Initial findings indicate that PRIDE may reduce internalized stigma and improve stress management for sexual minority individuals. These early results are promising for those seeking help with eating disorders. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Tiffany Brown, PhD

Principal Investigator

Auburn University

Aaron Blashill, PhD

Principal Investigator

San Diego State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for sexual minority individuals diagnosed with eating disorders. Participants must complete a phone screening, a clinical interview to confirm their diagnosis, and self-report measures for eligibility. They cannot have other non-eating disorder diagnoses that could interfere with the study.

Inclusion Criteria

Resides (and plans to continue to reside for the study duration) in California or one of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) states

Reports current (past 12 months) experience with discrimination due to sexual orientation

Speaks English

Exclusion Criteria

Inability to speak/read English

Active suicidal plans or intent

Other major untreated psychiatric diagnoses (e.g., untreated bipolar disorder, untreated psychosis)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (telephone), 1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants attend up to 14 weekly therapy sessions as part of the PRIDE intervention, focusing on decreasing internalized stigma and increasing coping self-efficacy

14 weeks

14 visits (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in coping self-efficacy and internalized stigma at 3 and 6 months post-intervention

6 months

2 visits (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Promoting Resilience to Improve Disordered Eating

Trial Overview The PRIDE intervention is being tested to see if it can reduce internalized stigma and improve coping with stress related to being a sexual minority. It involves up to 14 weekly therapy sessions focused on addressing eating disorders and body image issues while enhancing resilience against minority stressors.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Psychotherapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will experience the PRIDE intervention. PRIDE is a 14-session treatment that incorporates aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders (CBT-E) and SM-affirmative therapy. CBT-E aspects of treatment include in-session weighing, self-monitoring (food logs), regular eating, and techniques to address overvaluation of weight and shape. SM-affirmative therapy techniques include discussing the impact of minority stress on health, resilience, and strength within the SM community, specific manifestations of minority stress on eating and body image, current coping strategies, emotion regulation skills, and developing mindful, present-focused reactions to minority stress.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Auburn University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

81

Recruited

14,600+

San Diego State University

Collaborator

Trials

182

Recruited

119,000+

Citations

1. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/eat.24150

Promoting Resilience to Improve Disordered Eating ... Preliminary efficacy results suggested large and significant improvements in ED symptoms, clinical impairment, and body dissatisfaction, ...

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38279188/

A case series of an eating disorder treatment for sexual ... This mixed-methods study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of Promoting Resilience to Improve Disordered Eating ...

3. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/377750539_Promoting_Resilience_to_Improve_Disordered_Eating_PRIDE_A_case_series_of_an_eating_disorder_treatment_for_sexual_minority_individuals

Promoting Resilience to Improve Disordered Eating (PRIDE) Preliminary efficacy results suggested large and significant improvements in ED symptoms, clinical impairment, and body dissatisfaction, ...

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06565637?term=AREA%5BConditionSearch%5D(minorities)&rank=4

Targeting Minority Stressors to Improve Eating Disorder ... The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a new intervention (Promoting Resilience to Improve Disordered Eating; PRIDE) can decrease internalized ...

5. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-1-eating-disorders-2025-b7b0a

PRIDE Therapy for Eating Disorders It involves up to 14 weekly therapy sessions focused on addressing eating disorders and body image issues while enhancing resilience against minority stressors.