Studies

Confirming the Effectiveness of Online Guided Self-Help Family-Based Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa

Stanford University is conducting a study on virtual treatments for anorexia nervosa in adolescents.

Who can participate?

  • Adolescents living with their families between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age with DSM-5 AN
  • Adolescent lives with at least one family member
  • Parents are able to read and speak fluent English
  • Access to a computer with a reliable internet connection
  • Adolescent is medically stable for remote, outpatient treatment

The study will consist of:

  • Randomization to either:
    • Virtual family-based treatment (FBT-V) 
    • Online guided self-help family-based treatment (GSH-FBT)
  • In addition to treatment, participants will complete assessments and questionnaires throughout the course of the study

If you have any questions, or are interested in signing up for the study, please fill out the interest form below or email Hazal Gurcan at familytreatment@stanford.edu. Alternatively, call (650) 723 - 9182. Visit our FAQ page for quick answers to common questions.

Key Words: Anorexia Nervosa, virtual treatment, family based treatment, virtual family based treatment, FBT, FBT for Anorexia, guided self-help

Fill out the interest form for this study

Gut-Brain Monitoring Study

We are interested in learning more about how adolescents can sense and interpret signals their body is giving them (like hunger, fullness, and their heart beating). We are interested in three different groups: adolescents with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (or ARFID), anorexia nervosa, or healthy controls. We will be measuring the electrical signal emitted from the stomach, the gastric slow wave, and looking for correlations between gastric dysfunction and electrical signal features. You will wear an array of sensors on your belly, and a cap of sensors on your head to pick up brain signals. You will be paid for your participation.

Who can participate?

  • Adolescents age 8-22
  • Current diagnosis of anorexia nervosa or ARFID or no psychiatric diagnoses (healthy comparisons) 
  • Able to speak and read English
  • No gastrointestinal or digestive disorder or pregnancy  status 
     

If you are interested in participating or would like further information, contact Sabrina Liu at sabliu@stanford.edu

Caregiver Study

Are you caring for a child or adolescent with Anorexia Nervosa? Would you like to talk about the difficult emotional experiences associated with caring for a young person diagnosed with anorexia nervosa?

We are looking to understand the emotion regulation needs in designing a novel digital intervention.

Who can participate?

  • Caregivers of children between the ages of 12 and 18, that are admitted to Stanford’s inpatient Medical Stabilization Unit, participate in Outpatient Treatment Programs, or who have participated in Outpatient Treatment Programs and are diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa.
  • Able to fluently speak English.
  • Having access to internet connection and an electronic device. 
  • Be able to commit to a 30-minute interview. 
     

If you are interested in participating in the study, or have any questions, please email Hali Boyce at hboyce2@stanford.edu

Refinement of Emotion Regulation App for Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa at Mealtimes During Family-Based Treatment

Adolescents currently receiving Family-Based Treatment (FBT) for Anorexia Nervosa at Stanford's outpatient ED clinic are invited to participate in a research study focused on refining the BALANCE app. This app is designed to help adolescents improve emotional regulation, particularly during mealtimes.

Recruitment age range: 12-18

Recruitment gender: All

Contact information for participant inquiries: Ainsley at (510)-972-8179; acogburn@stanford.edu

Confirming the Efficacy/Mechanism of Family Therapy for Children with Low Weight Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Children ages 6-12 with a diagnosis of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) and their families are invited to participate in a Family-Based Treatment (FBT) vs. a manualized Non-Specific Care (NSC) research study through the Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. The study consists of 14 one-hour telehealth sessions in either treatment arm, along with required medical management, over the course of 4 months. Treatment will be provided by doctoral-level, highly skilled therapists.

Closed for recruitment.

Contact information for participant inquiries: Contact Hali Boyce (650) 723-5521 or arfidstudy@stanford.edu

Key words: Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, virtual treatment, manualized Non-Specific Care, family based treatment, FBT, Psychoeducational and Motivational Therapy for ARFID

For general information regarding questions, concerns, or complaints about research, research related injury or the rights of research participants, please call (650) 723-5244 or toll-free 1-866-680-2906, or write to the Administrative Panel on Human Subjects in Medical Research, Administrative Panels Office, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5401.