Comparing Open versus Blind Weighing in the Treatment of Adolescents and Young Adults with Eating Disorders
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, preliminary efficacy, and mechanisms of open weighing and blind weighing in adolescents and young adults (ages 12 – 24 years) with eating disorders. Participants receiving treatment in a partial hospitalization program for eating disorders will be randomized to receive either weekly blind weighing, in which participants do not see their weight, or weekly open weighing, in which individuals see and discuss their weight with a study therapist. This study will also explore three potential mechanisms of action that drive improvement: (1) decreases in anxiety about weight gain, (2) decreases in anxious beliefs about weight gain, and (3) increases in confidence tolerating anxiety associated with weight gain.
Exposure Therapy for Adults with Anorexia Nervosa
This study investigates the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a novel outpatient treatment for adults with anorexia nervosa (AN) that is rooted in principles of inhibitory learning. Adults (ages 18 – 65 years) with AN will receive 20 weekly sessions of exposure therapy. Body mass index and self-reported eating disorder symptomatology will be assessed at baseline and every five weeks. Participants will also complete weekly measures exploring exposure therapy’s putative mechanisms of actions, including habituation (e.g., weekly decreases in anxiety) and inhibitory learning (e.g., increasing tolerance of anxiety)
Measuring Anxiety about Eating in Individuals with Eating Disorders
This study aims to identify more effective ways to measure anxiety about eating in individuals with eating disorders. Adolescents and young adults with eating disorders complete an approach-avoidance task and provide self-reported anxiety ratings while viewing images of various foods in two conditions. In one condition, participants will be expected to eat one of the foods viewed during the task. In the other condition, participants will not be expected to eat any of the foods viewed. We hypothesize that connecting food images to the actual consequence of eating will more effectively elicit anxiety in individuals with eating disorders.
Actigraphic assessment of sleep in children and adolescents with Avoidant /restrictive food intake disorder
This observational cross-sectional study aims to characterize sleep disturbances in patients with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder receiving treatment at Penn State eating disorder and feeding clinics. Using actigraphic sleep data, sleep diaries, and neuropsychological testing, researchers will evaluate the association of sleep disturbance in ARFID with internalizing and externalizing symptoms, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, subjective appetite, and neurocognitive performance, as well as explore the potential association of salivary cortisol with sleep quality.
A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Evaluation of Effectiveness of Oral Naltrexone in Management of Adolescent Eating Disorders
This double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluates the effectiveness of oral naltrexone in adolescents and young adults with eating disorders (EDs) characterized by purging with or without binge-eating behaviors. Individuals receiving treatment in our division’s partial hospitalization program (PHP) for eating disorders (EDs) with diagnoses of anorexia nervosa binge-eating/purging type, bulimia nervosa, or purging disorder will receive six weeks of either placebo or oral naltrexone. Participants will complete a battery of self-report measures and laboratory safety monitoring every three weeks in addition to standard of medical care for treatment environment. We hypothesize that participants receiving oral naltrexone will demonstrate greater improvements in body mass index and self-reported ED symptomatology compared to placebo.