There are lots of ways to fight eating disorders. One way is to participate in research. Well-done studies help us understand why people become eating disordered, how they recover, and how treatment can be made more effective.
In addition, it's sad but true that treatment for an eating disorder is prohibitively expensive for many people, and insurance coverage tends to be minimal at best. Many research projects offer free treatment to qualified participants. Some even pay stipends, and procedures are supervised by clinical staff with professional credentials.
The treatment you receive in a study probably will not last for the several months, or even years, required to support full recovery, but it certainly can help you define the path you need to follow. And give you hope that recovery is possible.
Please note: ANRED does not recommend any of the following projects, nor does our staff personally know any of the researchers. We offer the following Web sites, e-mail addresses, and brief project descriptions for your information. If you are interested in any of these opportunities, evaluate potential benefits and possible risks. Be a wise consumer of medical and psychological services and procedures.
Learning to COPE with eating disorders
One of the oldest and most respected research programs in the U.S. is the one at COPE (Center for Overcoming Problem Eating) at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Click here to see what studies are currently looking for subjects. The site includes e-mail links so you can apply or ask for more information. (5/07)
Adolescents who have bulimia nervosa (binge eating and purging)
A National Institute of Mental Health-funded, IRB- (an independent ethics committee) approved study of adolescent girls (ages 13-19) who have bulimia nervosa. The study takes place at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City and involves either 12-weeks of individual therapy, or monetary compensation of $100. There is no fee for participation. For more information, call 212-543-5316 or send an e-mail inquiry. (4/08)
University of Minnesota study: Anorexia nervosa diary study
Researchers need female volunteers age 18 and older with symptoms of anorexia nervosa. This is not a treatment study. Compensation up to $200. For more information please call: 612-627-1991. (8/06)
Anorexia nervosa and osteoporosis
The Neuroendocrine Unit of Massachusetts General Hospital is conducting research studies on bone loss in anorexia nervosa. Their screening study is for men and women age 12-50 with anorexia nervosa. They are investigating causes of osteopenia (or bone loss) in the spine, hip, wrist and total body. The study involves one visit of approximately three hours. If interested, send an e-mail message to the project coordinator. (7/05)
Eating disorders and marital relationships
Research study for doctoral dissertation. If you are a married woman and want to participate, you can arrange an interview with yourself and your spouse in the San Diego, California area or by phone if you life out of that area. For more information, send an e-mail to Rebecca Kenyon, MA, MFT. (3/06)
Free treatment for anorexia nervosa
Men and women suffering from anorexia nervosa are needed for a study done by the University of California at San Diego. Medication will be provided, and interviews, questionnaires and lab work will determine if it reduces eating disorder symptoms, anxiety, depression and obsessive thoughts. Participants will receive a stipend of $360. For more information, send e-mail to the recruitment coordinator. (9/06)
Imaging study seeks to learn how the brain recognizes food
Women 18-45 who are right handed and are recovered from anorexia nervosa or bulimia are needed for a study done by the University of California at San Diego to determine if the brain can tell the difference in calorie content of food even if subjects cannot consciously tell. Participants, who will receive a stipend of $150, will complete interviews, questionnaires, a taste test and an fMRI scan. For more information, send e-mail to the recruitment coordinator. (9/06)
Does the medication Quetiapine aid in recovery from anorexia nervosa?
University of California at San Diego is studing this medication to determine whether or not it helps people suffering from anorexia nervosa by reducing core eating disorder symptoms, increasing BMI, and relieving symptoms of anxiety, depression and obsessionality. Men and women between the ages of 18-65 and currently suffering from anorexia nervosa are needed. The study involves the completion of interviews, questionnaires, lab work and medication management. Compensation will be $360. For more information, send an e-mail to the UCSD eating disorders program or call 858-366-2525. (2/07)
Are you caring for someone who has an eating disorder?
If you are, researchers at the university of Birmingham in England want to learn about your thoughts, feelings and experiences. A National Health Service-funded study will shed light on how treatment professionals can work more collaboratively with caregivers and provide them with effective support, which in turn will improve outcomes for those with eating disorders. If you can help, complete an anonymous survey that will take only 10-15 minutes. (12/06)
Anorexia Nervosa PDA study. Can technology aid recovery?
The University of Chicago is conducting a research study designed to examine the relationship between anorexia nervosa and various daily life experiences and personality. They are seeking women age 18 and over with symptoms of anorexia nervosa for participation in an outpatient study. Participants will be asked to use a personal digital assistant (PDA) for two weeks to record mood, stress level, and eating behaviors and attitudes at various times throughout the day. For information call Peter Doyle at 773-702-0789 and mention your interest in the Anorexia Nervosa PDA Study, directed by Daniel le Grange, Ph.D., or send an e-mail asking for more information. (2/07)
Why do people binge eat and purge?
Harvard University needs people who have binged and purged during the past three months. If you are over 18 and willing to take an Internet survey, visit the study's Web site. Participation takes about half an hour, and if you so choose, your name will be entered in a drawing to win one of five $50 prizes. (3/07)
Experiences and opinions of people recovering from anorexia nervosa
A researcher at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland, is looking for people 18 and older who have recovered from anorexia nervosa to take part in an online study of personal experiences and opinions of treatment. The study will take place in a confidential online focus group where people who have recovered can contribute and discuss opinions. The group begins on November 12, 2007. Send an e-mail message for more information or to apply. (10/07)
The brain and eating disorders
Reserchers at University of California San Diego are looking for right-handed women 18-45 who are recovered from eating disorders. The study is being done at UCSD to determine if the brain can tell the difference in caloric content of food even if subjects cannot consciously tell. The study involves the completion of interviews, questionnaires, a taste test and an fMRI scan. The total time commitment for this study is approximately 6-8 hours, which will be spread out over the course of several weeks. Compensation for completion of this study and all related materials is $150. For more information, send an e-mail message. (5/07)
Bone loss in anorexia nervosa
The Neuroendocrine Unit of Massachusetts General Hospital is conducting research studies on anorexia-induced bone loss. They need men and women age 12-50 with anorexia nervosa. The study involves one visit of approximately 3 hours.
A subsequent treatment study is for women aged 18-45 with anorexia nervosa and absent or irregular menstrual periods. The study consists of six visits over twelve months. A stipend of up to $675 will be awarded throughout the course of the study. For more information send an e-mail message. (5/07)
Adolescents with bulimia nervosa
Columbia University is looking for males and females 12-21 with bulimia nervosa. $100 compensation will be provided for participation. For more information, send an e-mail message. (5/07)
Anorexia nervosa and relationships
A researcher at California School of Professional Psychology is looking for women 18 and older who have been in recovery for two or more years. The study involves a confidential interview (phone or in person) and questions about relationships with friends, family members, and loved ones. Participants who complete the interviews will be given a $10 gift card to Borders Books or Amazon.com. For more information, send an e-mail message. (5/07)
Free confidential treatment
Boston University in Massachusetts. Researchers are enrolling bulimic participants (ages 18-65) in a free treatment study investigating two active treatments, including education and counseling. If you are interested, get more information on BU's Web site. (9/07)
Adolescents who have bulimia
In New York, an NIMH-funded, IRB-approved study of adolescents with bulimia nervosa (ages 12 - 21 years). This study takes place at NYSPI/Columbia University, and compensation is provided for participation ($100). For more information, send an e-mail inquiry. (9/07)
Bulimia and family interaction patterns
A doctoral student at the University of Maryland in College Park is studying similarities and differences in family interaction patterns among African American, Latina, and Caucasian families in which one member has been affected by bulimia. Interviews are conducted in the Washington DC/Baltimore metro area. If your family is one of those described above, and if you are interested in participating in the study, send the researcher an e-mail inquiry. (9/07)
Adolescents with bulimia nervosa
Funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, this study takes place at Columbia University in New York. They need people 12-21 currently experiencing bulimia. Compensation is provided for participation ($100). For more information call 212-543-5384 or send an e-mail inquiry. (1/08)
Family therapy at no cost for teens with anorexia nervosa (west coast)
The Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program at University of California San Diego is conducting a study comparing two different types of family therapy with families that include adolescents diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. The study provides nine months of family therapy at no cost to participants, plus medication management. Medication will be either Fluoxetine or a placebo. The study needs families with teens 12-18 who are fearful of gaining weight even through they are below ideal body weight. For more information, please call (858) 366-2525 or send an e-mail. (2/08)
The family therapy study (above) on the east coast
The National Institute of Mental Health is sponsoring a multi-center international study to compare two types of family therapy as well as fluoxetine or placebo (an inactive medication) in the treatment of adolescents with anorexia nervosa. We are looking for families with an adolescent with anorexia nervosa between the ages of 12-18 years. Participation involves completing assessment interviews, questionnaires, and engaging in 16 family therapy sessions over the course of nine months with medication continuing for another six months. Location: Westchester Division of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Medical College of Cornell University. For more information, contact research coordinator Samantha Berthod at (914)-997-4395. (3/08)
Comparative effectiveness of two different treatments for bulimia and depression
The University of Chicago is conducting a year-long study to evaluate outpatient treatments for women with bulimia nervosa and depression. The treatments to be studied are (1) Dialectical Behavior Therapy and (2) medication. Researchers need women 18 and older who meet diagnostic criteria for both bulimia nervosa and depression. They must be prepared to participate in assessments. Assignments to therapy and medication groups will be made randomly. For more information, contact the Participant Coordinator by phone at 773-834-0963 or by e-mail. (5/08)
Please Note: ANRED information is not a substitute for medical or psychological evaluation and treatment. For help with the physical and emotional problems associated with eating disorders, talk to your physician and a mental health professional.
Page updated May 2, 2008
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Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc.
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