Narrative Medicine for Anorexia Nervosa

Overseen By Anoushka A Sinha, MD, MS

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco

Disqualifiers: Personality disorder, Psychosis, Bipolar, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 6 weeks

15 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

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 (April-May 2025) 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.

Research Team

Anoushka Sinha, MD, MS

Principal Investigator

University of California, San Francisco

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young people aged 16-22 with anorexia nervosa who are stable enough for outpatient therapy and actively receiving treatment. It's not suitable for those with active suicidal thoughts, recent self-harm without intent to die, or concurrent personality disorders.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 16 and 22 years old.

I am currently in outpatient treatment for an eating disorder.

Have a DSM-5 diagnosis of AN (confirmed by the UCSF Eating Disorders Program clinical team)

Exclusion Criteria

History of psychosis, schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, or personality disorder

I do not have severe thinking or memory problems.

I have not had thoughts of harming myself or attempted self-harm in the last two months.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants attend six weekly workshops focused on themes such as self-definition, kindness, resilience, and possibility

6 weeks

6 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for psychological well-being and self-expression after the intervention

4 weeks

Optional Capstone Event

Participants may opt to share their work in a supportive space with peers, loved ones, and providers

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series

Trial Overview The study tests a Narrative Medicine (NM) workshop series designed to improve self-expression, reflection, and resilience through creative writing and group discussions. Participants will attend six weekly workshops focusing on themes like identity and coping.

Participant Groups

Group I: Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this study will take part in a six-week Narrative Medicine (NM) curriculum designed to enhance self-expression, reflection, and resilience in individuals with anorexia nervosa. Workshops will be conducted weekly at the UCSF Eating Disorders Program and will include: * Close reading of visual or written texts related to themes such as self-definition, resilience, kindness, and possibility * Creative writing exercises in response to structured prompts * Group discussions and sharing to foster community, connection, and self-expression

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, San Francisco

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,636

Recruited

19,080,000+