NCT06849830

Incorporating Narrative Into the Treatment of Youth With Anorexia Nervosa

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 8 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 16 Years – 25 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

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. 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.

Conditions

• Anorexia Nervosa

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Narrative Medicine (NM) Workshop Series	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

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-03-19
• Primary completion: 2025-05-31
• Completion: 2025-05-31
• First posted: 2025-02-27
• Last updated: 2025-07-04

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States