Anorexia NervosaNCT06849830
Incorporating Narrative Into the Treatment of Youth With Anorexia Nervosa
A study testing Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series in people with Anorexia Nervosa, run by University of California, San Francisco at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 16 to 25 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Anorexia Nervosa
- What is being tested?
- Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 8 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 19 Mar 2025to 31 May 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 16 to 25 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- 16-25 years old
- have a DSM-5 diagnosis of AN (confirmed by the UCSF Eating Disorders Program clinical team),
- currently engaged in outpatient eating disorder treatment, ensuring medical stability and capacity for a group-based intervention
- English fluency to engage in reflective writing and discussions
- Cognitive ability to meaningfully participate in narrative-based exercises
Who cannot join
- Currently medically unstable or require inpatient hospitalization
- History of psychosis, schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, or personality disorder
- Severe neurocognitive impairment that would prevent engagement with the intervention
- Active suicidal ideation or non-suicidal self-injury within the past two months
- Insufficient English proficiency to participate in group discussions and writing exercises
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
UCSF Nancy Friend Pritzker Psychiatry Building
San Francisco, California, 94158
About this study
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:
Read more
- 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.
- Conditions
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Being tested
- Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series
- Medical subject headings
- Anorexia Nervosa
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop SeriesBehavioural
The Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series is a structured six-week behavioral intervention designed to enhance self-expression, reflection, and resilience in adolescents and young adults recovering from eating disorders. This intervention differs from traditional psychotherapeutic or psychoeducational approaches by integrating literary analysis, creative writing, and guided discussion as therapeutic tools.
Each one-hour weekly workshop includes:
- 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 that encourage self-reflection and personal storytelling
- Facilitated group discussions to foster connection, self-expression, and emotional processing in a supportive environment
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series | Experimental | 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 Receives: Behavioral: Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Number of participants in each session
Feasibility will be measured by participant retention in intervention.
Measured: Immediately post-intervention (Week 6)
Satisfaction with intervention components using 5-point Likert scales and semi-structured individual interviews
Acceptability will be measured by questionnaire including 5-point Likert scales and semi-structured individual interviews assessing content relevance, writing prompts, group discussions, and facilitation.
Scale title: Intervention Satisfaction Questionnaire (ISQ) Minimum value: 1 (Strongly Disagree) Maximum value: 5 (Strongly Agree) Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater satisfaction with the intervention (better outcome).
Measured: Immediately post-intervention (Week 6)
Secondary outcomes (5)
Identity Clarity
Assessed using the Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory - Identity Subscale (EPS-Identity), which evaluates self-concept clarity and personal identity coherence.
Scale title: Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory - Identity Subscale (EPS-Identity) Minimum value: 1 (Strongly Disagree) Maximum value: 5 (Strongly Agree) Interpretation: Higher scores indicate stronger identity development and consolidation (better outcome).
Measured: Pre- (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6)
Social Connectedness
Measured using the Social Connectedness Scale (SCS), which assesses perceived closeness to others and sense of belonging.
Scale title: Social Connectedness Scale (SCS) Minimum value: 1 (Strongly Disagree) Maximum value: 6 (Strongly Agree) Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater feelings of social connectedness and belonging (better outcome).
Measured: Pre- (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6)
Depression Symptoms
Measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depressive symptoms.
Scale title: Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) Minimum value: 0 (Not at all) Maximum value: 3 (Nearly every day) Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater severity of depressive symptoms (worse outcome).
Measured: Pre- (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6)
Anxiety Symptoms
Measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) for anxiety.
Scale title: Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) Scale Minimum value: 0 (Not at all) Maximum value: 3 (Nearly every day) Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater severity of anxiety symptoms (worse outcome).
Measured: Pre- (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6)
Eating Disorder Severity
Measured using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), which captures cognitive and behavioral symptoms of AN, and percent of expected body weight (EBW) at follow-up.
Scale title: Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) Minimum value: 0 (No days / Not at all) Maximum value: 6 (Every day / Extremely) Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater severity of eating disorder psychopathology (worse outcome).
Measured: Pre- (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Feb 2025
- Study start19 Mar 2025
- Primary completion31 May 2025
- Study completion31 May 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Anorexia NervosaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of California, San FranciscoThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 8 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of California, San Francisco
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Anoushka Sinha, MD, MS, Principal investigator, University of California, San Francisco
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06849830
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 24-43017
- Status last verified
- Jul 2025
- First submitted
- 8 Feb 2025
- Last updated
- 4 Jul 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Knio L, Sridhar H. Phenomenology of Identity: Narrative Medicine Curricula in the Care of Eating Disorders. J Med Humanit. 2025 Dec;46(4):673-696. doi: 10.1007/s10912-025-09929-6. Epub 2025 Jan 27.
PubMed 39869237Sinha A, Tsevat RK, Lin M, Downey AE, Buckelew SM. "Name it to tame it": piloting a narrative medicine clinical intervention for adolescents and young adults with anorexia nervosa. J Eat Disord. 2026 Apr 21;14(1):126. doi: 10.1186/s40337-026-01612-y.
PubMed 42015298
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Jul 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Incorporating Narrative Into the Treatment of Youth With Anorexia Nervosa
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06849830
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 24-43017
- Conditions
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 8 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of California, San FranciscoUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 19 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 May 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 May 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 27 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series | Experimental | Behavioral: Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop SeriesParticipants 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 may qualify
- Ages
- 16 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 16-25 years old
- have a DSM-5 diagnosis of AN (confirmed by the UCSF Eating Disorders Program clinical team),
- currently engaged in outpatient eating disorder treatment, ensuring medical stability and capacity for a group-based intervention
- English fluency to engage in reflective writing and discussions
- Cognitive ability to meaningfully participate in narrative-based exercises
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Currently medically unstable or require inpatient hospitalization
- History of psychosis, schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, or personality disorder
- Severe neurocognitive impairment that would prevent engagement with the intervention
- Active suicidal ideation or non-suicidal self-injury within the past two months
- Insufficient English proficiency to participate in group discussions and writing exercises
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop SeriesThe Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series is a structured six-week behavioral intervention designed to enhance self-expression, reflection, and resilience in adolescents and young adults recovering from eating disorders. This intervention differs from traditional psychotherapeutic or psychoeducational approaches by integrating literary analysis, creative writing, and guided discussion as therapeutic tools. Each one-hour weekly workshop includes: * 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 that encourage self-reflection and personal storytelling * Facilitated group discussions to foster connection, self-expression, and emotional processing in a supportive environment | Behavioural | Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series |
Primary outcome
Number of participants in each session
Time frame: Immediately post-intervention (Week 6)
Feasibility will be measured by participant retention in intervention.
Satisfaction with intervention components using 5-point Likert scales and semi-structured individual interviews
Time frame: Immediately post-intervention (Week 6)
Acceptability will be measured by questionnaire including 5-point Likert scales and semi-structured individual interviews assessing content relevance, writing prompts, group discussions, and facilitation. Scale title: Intervention Satisfaction Questionnaire (ISQ) Minimum value: 1 (Strongly Disagree) Maximum value: 5 (Strongly Agree) Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater satisfaction with the intervention (better outcome).
5 secondary outcomes
Identity Clarity
Time frame: Pre- (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6)
Social Connectedness
Time frame: Pre- (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6)
Depression Symptoms
Time frame: Pre- (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6)
Anxiety Symptoms
Time frame: Pre- (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6)
Eating Disorder Severity
Time frame: Pre- (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Jul 2025.
- Background: PubMed 39869237Knio L, Sridhar H. Phenomenology of Identity: Narrative Medicine Curricula in the Care of Eating Disorders. J Med Humanit. 2025 Dec;46(4):673-696. doi: 10.1007/s10912-025-09929-6. Epub 2025 Jan 27.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42015298Sinha A, Tsevat RK, Lin M, Downey AE, Buckelew SM. "Name it to tame it": piloting a narrative medicine clinical intervention for adolescents and young adults with anorexia nervosa. J Eat Disord. 2026 Apr 21;14(1):126. doi: 10.1186/s40337-026-01612-y.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Anoushka Sinha, MD, MS principal investigator
University of California, San Francisco
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series in people with Anorexia Nervosa, run by University of California, San Francisco at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Number of participants in each session (time frame: Immediately post-intervention (Week 6)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06849830, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Jul 2025.