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Targeting Social Function in Anxiety and Eating Disorders

Targeting Social Function to Improve Outcomes in Anxiety and Eating Disorders

Who can join

Ages 18 to 30 · All sexes

Inclusion Criteria:

* In the past 12 months, has met DSM-5 criteria met for an eating disorder (Anorexia Nervosa, Atypical Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Avoidant-Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, or Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder) and/or an anxiety disorder (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder)
* Between the ages of 18-30

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current inpatient or residential treatment
* Medical instability or safety/suicide risk as determined by the PI

About the study

Social processing and cognition are often altered in patients with eating disorders. The goal of this clinical trial is to assess two different social therapeutic interventions -- one educational, one interactive -- for their effectiveness in improving clinical outcomes in patients with eating disorders. Patients in both interventions will receive education about social function in eating disorders, but those in the interactive treatment group will complete an additional collaborative art task.

Participants will:

* attend a baseline study visit to complete clinical interviews, cognitive testing, and behavioral tasks * complete a pre-intervention assessment with questionnaires * attend eight sessions of their assigned treatment group over the course of 12 weeks * complete three virtual follow-up assessments 4, 8, and 12 months from their baseline * attend a final study visit to repeat some clinical interviews, cognitive testing, and behavioral tasks

Researchers will compare changes in eating disorder, mood, and anxiety symptoms as well as test results from baseline and final study visits for each group to see if

* patients can be treated effectively with education alone or if an interactive group component produces additional benefits * cognitive and behavioral task performance are associated with recovery or illness state.

What is being tested

• Educational (behavioral)
• Interactive (behavioral)

Sponsor: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center · Participants: 60 · Started: Feb 28, 2024

Contact the study team

• Ava Ryan · Phone: 214-648-4617

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06198023

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Eating Disorders
• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.