NCT00879151

Brief Summary

In the face of scant literature on the subject, the investigators aim to more clearly identify effective treatments for adolescent bulimia nervosa (BN) through a treatment study comparing two current treatments (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents, CBT-A and Family Based Therapy for Bulimia Nervosa, FBT-BN) for the disorder in comparison with a non-specific therapy, Supportive Psychotherapy for Adolescent Bulimia (SPT). Additionally, the investigators hope to provide clinicians with information on treatment efficacy, variables that might influence outcome, and processes that may affect treatment efficacy that will guide them in their efforts to treat adolescent BN.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
130

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2009

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 1, 2009

Completed
3 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

April 7, 2009

Completed
2 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

April 9, 2009

Completed
5.4 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

September 1, 2014

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

September 1, 2014

Completed
Last Updated

May 25, 2015

Status Verified

May 1, 2015

Enrollment Period

5.7 years

First QC Date

April 7, 2009

Last Update Submit

May 21, 2015

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Binge and purge frequency as assessed by the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE)

    End of Treatment

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Changes in the subscale scores of the EDE

    End of Treatment

Study Arms (1)

Psychotherapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients are randomized to one of three different types of psychotherapy: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for adolescents, Family-Based Therapy for Bulimia Nervosa, and Supportive Psychotherapy. All treatments consist of 18 sessions over a period of approximately 6 months.

Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for AdolescentsBehavioral: Supportive PsychotherapyBehavioral: Family Based Therapy for Bulimia Nervosa

Interventions

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.

Psychotherapy

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.

Psychotherapy

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.

Psychotherapy

Eligibility Criteria

Age12 Years - 18 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Participants will be adolescents living with at least one of their parents and between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age with a DSM IV diagnosis of BN or partial BN (binge eating and purging at least one time per week over a six month period).
  • Family, for the purposes of this study, includes members of the subject's household, including at least one parent or adult guardian. Single parent families, divorced families, step-parents, and other types of families will be allowed to enter the study.

You may not qualify if:

  • psychotic illness or other mental illness requiring hospitalization; bipolar I disorder, depression with active suicidal thoughts and behavior;
  • associated physical illness that necessitates hospitalization;
  • current dependence on drugs or alcohol;
  • current diagnosis of anorexia nervosa or weight less that 85% IBW;
  • physical conditions (e.g. diabetes mellitus, pregnancy) known to influence eating or weight;
  • currently taking medication for co-morbid conditions for less than 2-months;
  • currently taking medications that may induce weight loss, e.g., appetite suppressants such as sibutramine, phentermine, and xenical, unless the participant is willing to withdraw from such medications;
  • currently taking medications for symptoms of BN and unwilling to discontinue these prior to initiating treatment in the study
  • previous CBT or FBT treatment for BN
  • married subjects
  • emancipated minors
  • family members will be excluded from engaging in treatment for the following reasons:
  • Current or history of sexual or physical abuse of the patient by family members. Perpetrators of the abuse will be excluded from treatment. Should sexual or physical abuse by a family member occur during the course of treatment, perpetrators will be excluded from ongoing treatment.
  • Substance dependence, psychosis, or severe medical illness that would limit full participation in therapy, or that might put the family member at risk for worsening of their condition during treatment. The decision whether or not to allow these individuals to continue to participate in treatment will be made by the therapist in consultation with the treatment supervisor.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

Stanford University School of Medicine

Stanford, California, 94305, United States

Location

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States

Location

Related Publications (5)

  • Gorrell S, Kinasz K, Hail L, Bruett L, Forsberg S, Lock J, Le Grange D. Rituals and preoccupations associated with bulimia nervosa in adolescents: Does motivation to change matter? Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2019 May;27(3):323-328. doi: 10.1002/erv.2664. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

  • Valenzuela F, Lock J, Le Grange D, Bohon C. Comorbid depressive symptoms and self-esteem improve after either cognitive-behavioural therapy or family-based treatment for adolescent bulimia nervosa. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2018 May;26(3):253-258. doi: 10.1002/erv.2582. Epub 2018 Feb 15.

  • Le Grange D, Lock J, Agras WS, Bryson SW, Jo B. Randomized Clinical Trial of Family-Based Treatment and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adolescent Bulimia Nervosa. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2015 Nov;54(11):886-94.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2015.08.008. Epub 2015 Sep 2.

  • Darcy AM, Fitzpatrick KK, Manasse SM, Datta N, Klabunde M, Colborn D, Aspen V, Stiles-Shields C, Labuschagne Z, Le Grange D, Lock J. Central coherence in adolescents with bulimia nervosa spectrum eating disorders. Int J Eat Disord. 2015 Jul;48(5):487-93. doi: 10.1002/eat.22340. Epub 2014 Aug 22.

  • Darcy AM, Fitzpatrick KK, Colborn D, Manasse S, Datta N, Aspen V, Shields CS, Le Grange D, Lock J. Set-shifting among adolescents with bulimic spectrum eating disorders. Psychosom Med. 2012 Oct;74(8):869-72. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0b013e31826af636. Epub 2012 Sep 21.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bulimia

Interventions

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

HyperphagiaSigns and Symptoms, DigestiveSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior TherapyPsychotherapyBehavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

  • James D Lock

    Stanford University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

April 7, 2009

First Posted

April 9, 2009

Study Start

January 1, 2009

Primary Completion

September 1, 2014

Study Completion

September 1, 2014

Last Updated

May 25, 2015

Record last verified: 2015-05

Locations