NCT06795555 Virtual Reality Exposure to Reduce Food Related Anxiety in Anorexia Nervosa
| NCT ID | NCT06795555 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University of Padova |
| Condition | Anorexia Nervosa |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 60 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-03-01 |
| Primary Completion | 2025-09 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 60 participants in total. It began in 2024-03-01 with a primary completion date of 2025-09.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
Exposure to food stimuli often elicit aversive emotions in patients with anorexia nervosa, which can perpetuate eating-related avoidance. Exposure therapy has been shown to effectively reduce anxiety toward, and avoidance of, feared stimuli in several psychiatric disorders. Digital technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) have been employed to implement exposure therapy in situations where in vivo exposure is unfeasible, challenging, or perceived as threatening by patients. VR has also the potential to be used by individuals repeatedly in their own time and environment, to consolidate new learning. This pilot randomised controlled study evaluates the feasibility and clinical impact of repeated VR exposure to food stimuli in patients with anorexia nervosa attending intensive daycare treatment (treatment as usual, TAU). VR food exposure will be compared to the use of a relaxation-focused VR scenario (natural environment) and a control condition (no use of VR). Patients in all groups will receive TAU.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * current diagnosis of anorexia nervosa according to DSM-5 criteria * 14 years or older. Exclusion Criteria: * diagnosis of neurological disorders * diagnosis of psychosis or substance abuse disorders * visual/hearing impairments not corrected by glasses/ear implants * non-tolerance of exposure to VR (i.e., cybersickness, dizziness)
Contact & Investigator
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT06795555 clinical trial?
This trial is open to female participants only, aged 14 Years or older, studying Anorexia Nervosa. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT06795555 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT06795555 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at valentina.cardi@unipd.it for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT06795555 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Padova, Italy.
Who is sponsoring the NCT06795555 clinical trial?
NCT06795555 is sponsored by University of Padova. The trial plans to enroll 60 participants.