Using Bilateral Stimulation (A Pre-existing Trauma Technique) After Eating to Reduce Anxiety in P… (NCT07600970) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Using Bilateral Stimulation (A Pre-existing Trauma Technique) After Eating to Reduce Anxiety in People Recovering From Eating Disorders
United States8 participantsStarted 2023-05-30
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial was to evaluate whether bilateral stimulation (BLS) could reduce anxiety and emotional distress after eating in people recovering from eating disorders in outpatient treatment with the primary researcher.
The main question it aimed to answer were:
Did bilateral stimulation reduce anxiety, depression, and/or eating disorder thoughts when used after eating a fear food?
Researchers compared participants who received standard treatment alone to those who received standard treatment plus bilateral stimulation after meals to determine whether BLS reduced emotional distress and negative thoughts related to eating.
Participants:
* Completed surveys assessing anxiety, depression, and eating disorder symptoms at the beginning and end of 4 consecutive sessions (4-12 weeks in total depending on the frequency of client appointments).
* Chose to participate in either a standard treatment group or an intervention group
Participants in the intervention group also:
* Ate 1 meal per week before or during session, including a "fear food" (defined as food avoided out of fear of what might happen, i.e., weight gain, vomiting, guilt/shame).
* Completed brief questionnaires about their thoughts and feelings after eating
* Participated in 3-5 minutes of bilateral stimulation (side-to-side tapping) guided by the researcher
* Reported on changes in their thoughts and emotions following the intervention
The intervention was delivered over 4 consecutive sessions alongside standard treatment.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* (1) aged older than 18 years;
* (2) had a current DSM-5 diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or other specified feeding and eating disorder;
* (3) were deemed to be medically stable, defined as not requiring the use of a feeding tube; had a heart rate between 51-119 beats per minute at rest and blood pressure greater than 70/40 and less than 180/120 mmHg at rest;
* (4) attending appointments at will;
* (5) gave full consent (signed informed consent); and
* (6) could choose to discontinue treatment and/or the study at any time with no consequences.
Exclusion Criteria:
* (1) aged under 18 years;
* (2) had a current DSM-5 diagnosis of Pica syndrome, cyclical vomiting syndrome, or subclinical eating disorder;
* (3) had medical instability, defined as a heart rate less than 50 or more than 120 beats per minute at rest, a blood pressure greater than 180/120 or less than 70/40 mmHg at rest, or orthostatic vital signs accompanied by fainting; and
* (4) had acute suicide risk.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial used a technique called bilateral stimulation — the same kind used in trauma therapy — right after eating, to reduce anxiety and low mood; can you explain what that actually involves physically, and whether it might be appropriate given my specific eating disorder history?
2Since this trial is already completed, has any of its data been published yet, and if so, what did the results show about how much anxiety and depression after meals actually changed across those four sessions?
3The trial only ran for four sessions — do you think that's enough to know whether this kind of technique could be genuinely useful long-term for someone in my situation, or would we need to see more evidence before considering it?
4This approach was added on top of standard treatment rather than replacing it — does that mean my regular care plan wouldn't change, and how would something like this fit alongside the treatment you'd normally recommend for me?
5Are there any concerns about using a trauma-focused technique like bilateral stimulation specifically in people recovering from eating disorders, since the two conditions sometimes overlap in complex ways?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change From Pre- to Post-Bilateral Stimulation in Self-Reported Anxious Mood After Eating in the Standard Treatment Plus BLS Group Across 4 Sessions
Timeframe: Across 4 consecutive sessions, completed over 4-12 weeks.
2
Change From Pre- to Post-Bilateral Stimulation in Self-Reported Depressed Mood After Eating in the Standard Treatment Plus BLS Group Across 4 Sessions
Timeframe: Across 4 consecutive sessions, completed over 4-12 weeks.