Virtual Reality Exposure to Reduce Food Related Anxiety in Anorexia Nervosa

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Anorexia Nervosa

In brief

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.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06795555

Run by

University of Padova

People needed

60

Starts

2024-03-01

Expected to finish

2025-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2025-01-29

Who can join

Age: 14 and older. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• current diagnosis of anorexia nervosa according to DSM-5 criteria
• 14 years or older.

You may not qualify if…

• 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)

Where it is running

• University Hospital of Padova — Padova, Italy, Italy (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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