Studies
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In our research lab, we are conducting a number of treatment studies that provide free treatment for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Please read further for additional information.
Treatment for Adults (16+) with Anorexia Nervosa
Little is known about the best treatment for adults with anorexia nervosa. However, there is research to suggest that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be helpful for many who are struggling with this disorder. With the hope of identifying a useful and effective treatment for adults with anorexia, we are conducting a treatment study examining CBT with or without a conjunctive, novel therapy called Cognitive-Remediation Therapy (CRT).
CBT involves: Examining beliefs, emotions and behaviors surrounding an individual’s experience with anorexia and the daily struggles that come along with this experience.
CRT involves: Understanding the way we think and the impact our thinking style can have on all areas of life. CRT aims to bring awareness to common thinking-styles that are often associated with anorexia, and to increase flexibility of thinking.
Patients will be assigned to one of two treatment groups:
CBT: 24 sessions of CBT over the course of 6 months
CBT+CRT: 8 initial sessions of CRT followed by 16 sessions of CBT over the course of 6 months.
To be eligible: You are:
- Age 16+
- Have a current diagnosis of anorexia nervosa
- Medically stable for outpatient treatment
If you have any questions about your eligibility or would like to speak to someone further about participating, please contact Judy Beenhakker at (650) 723-7885.
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Family Treatment for Adolescents (12-18) with Anorexia Nervosa
While there is not much research surrounding effective treatments for anorexia nervosa in adolescents, some studies suggest that different forms of family therapy may be helpful. To further understand what components of family therapy are most beneficial to patients, we are conducting a six-site international treatment study. In this study, patients and their families will be assigned to one of two forms of family therapy. These are:
- Behavioral-Family Therapy (BFT): BFT supports the family in directly addressing restrictive eating patterns and other weight-control methods used by their son or daughter. The symptoms of anorexia are targeted directly in order to facilitate return to a healthy weight.
- Systemic-Family Therapy (SFT): SFT focuses on understanding family processes and functioning and how these relate to the development of anorexia nervosa in the family.
Each treatment group will receive 16 sessions of family therapy over the course of 6 months. Treatment is provided at Stanford as well as five other sites around the country.
For further information about additional sites go to: http://anorexiastudy.stanford.edu
To be eligible you must:
- Have a current diagnosis of anorexia nervosa
- Be between the ages of 12-18 (boys and girls)
- Be medically stable for outpatient treatment
If you would like to find out more, feel free to contact Alaina Critchlow at (650) 721-6740.
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Treatment of Adolescents (12-18) with Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa most commonly onsets during adolescence, however, few studies have examined effective treatments for this age group. As a result, this study will compare three outpatient treatments for bulimia nervosa in adolescents ages 12-18. These treatments are:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): In CBT, the therapist will work with the adolescent to understand triggers to binge eating and purging, such as thoughts, feelings, and interpersonal difficulties. Also, establishing regular eating patterns and eliminating medically harmful behaviors associated with the eating disorder is a primary goal.
Supportive Psychotherapy (SPT): SPT focuses on having the patient build a relationship with the therapist and explore their unique individual needs within the context of their life and the experience of having an eating disorder.
Family-Based Therapy (FBT): FBT helps parents to take an active role in guiding their child through eating disorder treatment. In this therapy, the parents are supported in helping their child stop bingeing, purging and engaging in other harmful weight-control behaviors. The way in which the eating disorder has impacted the family and the adolescent’s development is also explored.
The treatments extend over a 6-month period and all consist of 18 sessions. Parents will be involved in all three treatments to varying degrees.
Who Can Participate?
- Adolescents (female or male) ages 12 to 18 with a current diagnosis of Bulimia Nervosa
- Must be medically stable for outpatient treatment
- Must be living with at least one parent
If you are interested or would like to know more, contact Brittany Alvy at (650) 723-9182 or balvy@stanford.edu.
***Note: Treatment for these studies is free. However, given the health risks associated with these disorders, medical monitoring is required, and for this you will need to use your own health insurance.
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Additional Studies
fMRI for adolescents with eating disorders
Our functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) study of individuals with eating disorders (bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa), as well as volunteers with no history of an eating disorder, may shed light on the neurobiological basis for these disorders. No fMRI studies of adolescents with eating disorders have been reported to date. If you would like to participate in this exciting new research your commitment will involve a one-time visit to Stanford to complete the following:
A one-hour brain scan
A brief interview (30-45 minutes) and questionnaires (10-15 minutes)
You will receive $50 to compensate you for your time.
To be eligible you:
- Are between the ages of 12-18
- Have no unremoveable metal on your body (permanent retainers, braces, unremoveable piercings for example)
- Either have a diagnosis of an eating disorder, or have no history of an eating disorder
If you are interested in participating, please contact Judy Beenhakker at (650) 723-7885
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Voices of Anorexia
Have you ever been diagnosed with or felt that you may have had anorexia nervosa? If so, did you receive treatment? In the next month, we will be launching an internet study that involves a series of questionnaires about your experience with anorexia nervosa. Whether or not you received treatment, we would like to know more about your decision to enroll or not to enroll in treatment. Our hope for this study is to more fully understand why and how people seek treatment, as well as what factors are most important in achieving recovery. We will be posting a survey-monkey link in the near future. Until then, if you have any questions about the study, feel free to contact Linsey Utzinger to learn more.
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Neuropsychology and Anorexia Nervosa
The aim of this study is to explore the neuropsychological functioning of adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). We will be conducting neuropsychological tests with individuals who are acutely ill (<85% of their ideal body weight), and those who are in some stage of recovery. Additionally, we hope to assess same-sex siblings of those who have a diagnosis of AN, as well as individuals who have never been diagnosed with an eating disorder. Participants will be paid $50 for each assessment they complete.
All participants must meet the follow requirements:
- Between the ages of 12-18
- Female
- Willing to participate in an assessment lasting approximately 3 hours
To participate as an individual with an eating disorder, participants must:
- Have a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and a sister within three years of her age with no history of an eating disorder who is also willing to participate
OR: - Have a diagnosis of an eating disorder and weigh ≤85% of their ideal body weight
- Willing to participate in the initial and 6-month follow-up assessments (Note: participants will be paid $50 for each assessment for a total of $100 for initial and follow-up)
To participate as the sister of an individual with anorexia nervosa:
- Willing to participant in assessment lasting approximately 3 hours
- Have a sister with anorexia who is also participating
If you are interested in participating or would like more information please contact:
Danielle Colborn or Caroline Gudorf
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