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A Double-blind, Placebo Controlled Trial of Risperidone for the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa

A Double-blind, Placebo Controlled Trial of Risperidone for the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00140426
Enrollment
41
Registered
2005-09-01
Start date
2004-08-31
Completion date
2009-12-31
Last updated
2016-02-02

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anorexia Nervosa

Keywords

Anorexia Nervosa, Risperidone, Atypical Neuroleptics, Dopamine, Leptin, Body Image, Adolescents

Brief summary

The aim of this pilot study is to determine the safety and efficacy of risperidone for the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Hypothesis 1: Subjects on risperidone will show a more significant decrease in body image distortion and Eating Disorder Inventory -2 scores than subjects on placebo. Hypothesis 2: Subjects on risperidone will reach and maintain at or above 90% Ideal body weight sooner than controls.

Detailed description

The lack of effective medications for the symptoms of anorexia nervosa (AN), combined with early promising findings in case reports (Risperidone and Olanzapine) and one open study of olanzapine have led to increased use of these medications for individuals with AN. This double-blind placebo controlled study of risperidone will attempt to determine if risperidone is effective in decreasing core symptoms of anorexia nervosa and decreasing the length of time required to reach and maintain at or about 90% Ideal body weight. The safety of risperidone in this population will also be examined through monitoring of Extrapyramidal Symptoms, Tardive Dyskinesia, Electrocardiograms's, Resting Energy Expenditure, liver enzymes and other blood chemistry. Other possible variables which may mediate the recovery process or be impacted by risperidone,such as leptin and anxiety symptoms are also being measured.

Interventions

DRUGRisperidone

risperidone titrated 0.5 to 4 mg over study enrollment. Mean Length of Phase 1 is currently 10 weeks.

DRUGPlacebo

Comparison of risperidone versus placebo for the treatment of symptoms related to anorexia nervosa.

Sponsors

Janssen Pharmaceuticals
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
CollaboratorNIH
University of Colorado, Denver
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
12 Years to 21 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Primary Diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa * Female, age 12-21 * Active in a level of care for AN at The Children's Hospital, Denver * As long as there is a primary dx of AN, co-morbid diagnoses may be included. * If taking an antidepressant, must be on a stable dose for 3 weeks prior to entering the study, and dose of antidepressant may not be changed during Phase 1 of the study. * If choosing to discontinue antidepressant medication, must be off the medication for 3 weeks prior to beginning the study. * If sexually active, must use birth control during the study and have a monthly pregnancy test.

Exclusion criteria

* Previous enrollment in this study on a prior admission * Previous allergic reaction to risperidone or other atypical neuroleptic * Positive pregnancy test * Neurologic disorder other than benign essential tremor * Taking a psychotropic medication other than antidepressant and discontinuing the medication is not recommended. * Active hepatic or renal disease * Wards of the state * Males

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Body Image Software (BIS) - Difference Limen (DL)monthlyBody Image Software (BIS) - the subject adjusts a digital image of themselves on the computer to their desired image, and also completes a task that determines their perception of their current image. Accuracy is measured by a smaller score between desired image and actual image. Change in BIS-DL was calculated using an estimate of change in score between week 0 and week 7 derived from the mixed effect model across all time points. There are no identifiable minimum/maximum values as there would be in a questionnaire scale. There are no subscales. Interpreting the DL occurs by referencing it to DL= 0, which would reflect a total inability to detect size differences, which has never occurred in studies using the BIS program.
Hazard Ratio for Time to Reaching Ease Of Eating Level 3 From Start of Study (Normal Eating Behavior)weekly up to study endpoint: reaching target weight and maintaining for 1 monthThe Ease of Eating Scale (EOES) is a 14 item scale which measures Food avoidance behaviors (FABs). The scale is rated by staff observing a subject eating a meal or snack. 0 = normal eating behavior, maximum score 28. Higher scores indicate more food avoidance behaviors, such as taking small bites, taking \> 30 seconds between bites (slow eating), etc. EOE was completed for each meal a subject ate in the program and scores were averaged for each week in the study and entered in the data base. Change in EOES score was calculated by evaluating change over time. This measure was only used in Phase 1 of the study, for days the subjects were in the treatment program.
Color A Person Test (CAPT)monthlyColor A Person Test (CAPT) - Subjects color an outlined image of a body to indicate body dissatisfaction (red (5)= very dissatisfied, Yellow, dissatisfied, black, neutral, green satisfied, blue very satisfied (1). The outline is divided into16 sections for scoring. The CAPT was completed at baseline and monthly during study participation. Total CAPT scores were calculated by adding the total score and dividing by 16. Score range is 1-5. Lower scores indicate less body dissatisfaction. Change in the CAPT score during the study was calculated using an estimate of change in score between week 0 and week 7 derived from the mixed effect model across all time points.
Body Image Software (BIS): Average DistortionmonthlyBody Image Software (BIS) - the subject adjusts a digital image of themselves on the computer using the direction to adjust their image to how they see themselves right now, this determines their perception of their current image. Accuracy is measured by a smaller score between desired image and actual image. Change in the BIS Average Distortion score during the study was calculated using an estimate of change in score between week 0 and week 7 derived from the mixed effect model across all time points. There are no identifiable minimum/maximum values as there would be in a questionnaire scale. There are no subscales. The BIS program calculates the difference between their actual image and the size of the image they have adjusted the digital image to based on their perception of how they see themselves right now
Body Image Software (BIS): Average Desired ThinnessmonthlyBody Image Software (BIS) - the subject adjusts a digital image of themselves on the computer to their desired image. The BIS program calculates the difference between their actual image, and how much they have adjusted the image to represent their desired image. Accuracy is measured by a smaller score between desired image and actual image. Change in BIS - Average Desired Thinness score was calculated using an estimate of change in score between week 0 and week 7 derived from the mixed effect model across all time points. There are no identifiable minimum/maximum values as there would be in a questionnaire scale. . There are no subscales.
Body Image Software (BIS) - Point of Subjective Equality (PSE)monthlyBody Image Software (BIS) - the subject adjusts a digital image of themselves on the computer to their desired image, and also completes a task that determines their perception of their current image. Accuracy is measured by a smaller score between desired image and actual image. Change in BIS -PSE was calculated using an estimate of change in score between week 0 and week 7 derived from the mixed effect model across all time points. There are no identifiable minimum/maximum values as there would be in a questionnaire scale. Interpreting the PSE is how it compares to a PSE = 0, which is no distortion in body size.
Change in Eating Disorder Inventory-2 Drive for Thinness Subscale (DT)monthEating Disorder Inventory -2 - Subscale : Drive for Thinness Subscale (DT). Lower scores are better on this scale and indicate less cognitive focus on drive for thinness. The EDI 2 is a 91 item scale with 8 subscales - (Drive for thinness, Bulimia, body dissatisfaction, ineffectiveness, perfection, interpersonal distrust, interoceptive awareness and maturity fears.). The DT subscale was used for this outcome. Respondents rate each item as usually , often, sometimes, rarely or never. Subscale scores are computed by summing all item scores for each subscale. There are 7 items in the DT subscale (questions 1,7,11,16,25,32 and 49). the subscale score range is 0-21. The EDI-2 was completed by subjects at baseline and then monthly during study participation (range 0 -18 weeks). Change in the DT subscale score was calculated using an estimate of change in score between week 0 and week 7 derived from the mixed effect model across all time points.
Change in Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI)-2 Score for Body Dissatisfaction (BD)monthlychange in Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) 2-score for Body Dissatisfaction (BD). Lower scores are better on this scale. Higher scores indicate the subject has greater body dissatisfaction. BD is one of the 8 subscales of the EDI-2. 9 of the 91 questions in the EDI-2 scale constitute this subscale. The score range is 0-27. Subjects completed the EDI-2 at baseline and monthly during study participation (range 0 to 18 weeks). Change in the BD subscale score during the study was calculated using an estimate of change in score between week 0 and week 7 derived from the mixed effect model across all time points.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Ratings of Anxiety Symptoms on the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC)monthly to study end pointThe Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) is a self report measure completed by the subject that measures anxiety symptoms. Higher scores indicate greater anxiety. A score of over 50 is significant for anxiety Change in MASC scores was calculated using an estimate of change in score between week 0 and week 7 derived from the mixed effect model across all time points.
Change in Leptin LevelsWeek 0 and week 7Leptin levels were measured by serum blood draws, results reports in nanograms / ml (ng/ml).
Change in Prolactin Levelsweek 0 and week 7Prolactin serum blood levels, measured in nanograms / ml
Time to Reach 90% IBW and Maintain for 1 Month, Stratified by IBW <80% at Start of Study0 - 18 weeksThe mean survival time and its standard error were underestimated because the largest observation was censored and the estimation was restricted to the largest event time. These estimates were produced using Kaplan-Meier probabilities.
Time to Reach 90% Ideal Body Weight (IBW) and Maintain for 1 Month, Stratified by >=80% at Start of StudyweeklyThe mean survival time and its standard error were underestimated because the largest observation was censored and the estimation was restricted to the largest event time. These estimates were produced using Kaplan-Meier probabilities. This was measured weekly from 0-18 weeks.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Placebo
double blind study of risperidone for anorexia nervosa. this is the subject group that receives placebo. Risperidone or placebo: risperidone titrated 0.5 to 4 mg over study enrollment. Mean Length of Phase 1 is currently 10 weeks.
22
Risperidone
Study is double blind, placebo controlled. This is the subject group on active medication Risperidone: Comparison of risperidone versus placebo for the treatment of symptoms related to anorexia nervosa. Titration of study medication from 0.5 to 4 mg based on weight gain to target IBW.
19
Total41

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject03

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicRisperidonePlaceboTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
13 Participants19 Participants32 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
6 Participants3 Participants9 Participants
Age, Continuous16.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.5
15.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.3
15.98 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.35
Region of Enrollment
United States
19 participants22 participants41 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
19 Participants22 Participants41 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
17 / 2216 / 18
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 220 / 18

Outcome results

Primary

Body Image Software (BIS): Average Desired Thinness

Body Image Software (BIS) - the subject adjusts a digital image of themselves on the computer to their desired image. The BIS program calculates the difference between their actual image, and how much they have adjusted the image to represent their desired image. Accuracy is measured by a smaller score between desired image and actual image. Change in BIS - Average Desired Thinness score was calculated using an estimate of change in score between week 0 and week 7 derived from the mixed effect model across all time points. There are no identifiable minimum/maximum values as there would be in a questionnaire scale. . There are no subscales.

Time frame: monthly

Population: Many patients did not complete this outcome measurement. Change from baseline to end of study were compared between arms.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboBody Image Software (BIS): Average Desired Thinness1.88 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 9.24
RisperidoneBody Image Software (BIS): Average Desired Thinness-1.42 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 10.31
p-value: 0.5t-test, 2 sided
Primary

Body Image Software (BIS): Average Distortion

Body Image Software (BIS) - the subject adjusts a digital image of themselves on the computer using the direction to adjust their image to how they see themselves right now, this determines their perception of their current image. Accuracy is measured by a smaller score between desired image and actual image. Change in the BIS Average Distortion score during the study was calculated using an estimate of change in score between week 0 and week 7 derived from the mixed effect model across all time points. There are no identifiable minimum/maximum values as there would be in a questionnaire scale. There are no subscales. The BIS program calculates the difference between their actual image and the size of the image they have adjusted the digital image to based on their perception of how they see themselves right now

Time frame: monthly

Population: Change from baseline to end of study was compared between arms. Some patients did not complete this outcome measurement.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboBody Image Software (BIS): Average Distortion-0.22 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.75
RisperidoneBody Image Software (BIS): Average Distortion1.40 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.36
p-value: 0.57t-test, 2 sided
Primary

Body Image Software (BIS) - Difference Limen (DL)

Body Image Software (BIS) - the subject adjusts a digital image of themselves on the computer to their desired image, and also completes a task that determines their perception of their current image. Accuracy is measured by a smaller score between desired image and actual image. Change in BIS-DL was calculated using an estimate of change in score between week 0 and week 7 derived from the mixed effect model across all time points. There are no identifiable minimum/maximum values as there would be in a questionnaire scale. There are no subscales. Interpreting the DL occurs by referencing it to DL= 0, which would reflect a total inability to detect size differences, which has never occurred in studies using the BIS program.

Time frame: monthly

Population: Change from baseline to end of study was compared between arms. Some patients did not complete this outcome measurement.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboBody Image Software (BIS) - Difference Limen (DL)-0.19 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.1
RisperidoneBody Image Software (BIS) - Difference Limen (DL)-1.16 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.18
p-value: 0.12t-test, 2 sided
Primary

Body Image Software (BIS) - Point of Subjective Equality (PSE)

Body Image Software (BIS) - the subject adjusts a digital image of themselves on the computer to their desired image, and also completes a task that determines their perception of their current image. Accuracy is measured by a smaller score between desired image and actual image. Change in BIS -PSE was calculated using an estimate of change in score between week 0 and week 7 derived from the mixed effect model across all time points. There are no identifiable minimum/maximum values as there would be in a questionnaire scale. Interpreting the PSE is how it compares to a PSE = 0, which is no distortion in body size.

Time frame: monthly

Population: Change from baseline to end of study was compared between arms. Some patients did not complete this outcome measurement.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboBody Image Software (BIS) - Point of Subjective Equality (PSE)-0.32 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.81
RisperidoneBody Image Software (BIS) - Point of Subjective Equality (PSE)-2.18 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.92
p-value: 0.43t-test, 2 sided
Primary

Change in Eating Disorder Inventory-2 Drive for Thinness Subscale (DT)

Eating Disorder Inventory -2 - Subscale : Drive for Thinness Subscale (DT). Lower scores are better on this scale and indicate less cognitive focus on drive for thinness. The EDI 2 is a 91 item scale with 8 subscales - (Drive for thinness, Bulimia, body dissatisfaction, ineffectiveness, perfection, interpersonal distrust, interoceptive awareness and maturity fears.). The DT subscale was used for this outcome. Respondents rate each item as usually , often, sometimes, rarely or never. Subscale scores are computed by summing all item scores for each subscale. There are 7 items in the DT subscale (questions 1,7,11,16,25,32 and 49). the subscale score range is 0-21. The EDI-2 was completed by subjects at baseline and then monthly during study participation (range 0 -18 weeks). Change in the DT subscale score was calculated using an estimate of change in score between week 0 and week 7 derived from the mixed effect model across all time points.

Time frame: month

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboChange in Eating Disorder Inventory-2 Drive for Thinness Subscale (DT)1.36 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.09
RisperidoneChange in Eating Disorder Inventory-2 Drive for Thinness Subscale (DT)3.93 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.95
Primary

Change in Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI)-2 Score for Body Dissatisfaction (BD)

change in Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) 2-score for Body Dissatisfaction (BD). Lower scores are better on this scale. Higher scores indicate the subject has greater body dissatisfaction. BD is one of the 8 subscales of the EDI-2. 9 of the 91 questions in the EDI-2 scale constitute this subscale. The score range is 0-27. Subjects completed the EDI-2 at baseline and monthly during study participation (range 0 to 18 weeks). Change in the BD subscale score during the study was calculated using an estimate of change in score between week 0 and week 7 derived from the mixed effect model across all time points.

Time frame: monthly

Population: 1 risperidone subject was missing data for BD at this data point.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboChange in Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI)-2 Score for Body Dissatisfaction (BD)0.82 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.96
RisperidoneChange in Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI)-2 Score for Body Dissatisfaction (BD)2.67 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.93
Primary

Color A Person Test (CAPT)

Color A Person Test (CAPT) - Subjects color an outlined image of a body to indicate body dissatisfaction (red (5)= very dissatisfied, Yellow, dissatisfied, black, neutral, green satisfied, blue very satisfied (1). The outline is divided into16 sections for scoring. The CAPT was completed at baseline and monthly during study participation. Total CAPT scores were calculated by adding the total score and dividing by 16. Score range is 1-5. Lower scores indicate less body dissatisfaction. Change in the CAPT score during the study was calculated using an estimate of change in score between week 0 and week 7 derived from the mixed effect model across all time points.

Time frame: monthly

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboColor A Person Test (CAPT)0.03 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.75
RisperidoneColor A Person Test (CAPT)0.22 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.79
Comparison: Null hypothesis: no difference in change from baseline to end of treatment for CAPT total scorep-value: 0.4795% CI: [-0.71, 0.33]t-test, 2 sided
Primary

Hazard Ratio for Time to Reaching Ease Of Eating Level 3 From Start of Study (Normal Eating Behavior)

The Ease of Eating Scale (EOES) is a 14 item scale which measures Food avoidance behaviors (FABs). The scale is rated by staff observing a subject eating a meal or snack. 0 = normal eating behavior, maximum score 28. Higher scores indicate more food avoidance behaviors, such as taking small bites, taking \> 30 seconds between bites (slow eating), etc. EOE was completed for each meal a subject ate in the program and scores were averaged for each week in the study and entered in the data base. Change in EOES score was calculated by evaluating change over time. This measure was only used in Phase 1 of the study, for days the subjects were in the treatment program.

Time frame: weekly up to study endpoint: reaching target weight and maintaining for 1 month

Population: 2 patients in the placebo group were treated as inpatients and had no EOE data.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
PlaceboHazard Ratio for Time to Reaching Ease Of Eating Level 3 From Start of Study (Normal Eating Behavior)0.85 hazard ratio
RisperidoneHazard Ratio for Time to Reaching Ease Of Eating Level 3 From Start of Study (Normal Eating Behavior)1 hazard ratio
p-value: 0.5595% CI: [0.41, 1.74]Regression, Cox
Secondary

Change in Leptin Levels

Leptin levels were measured by serum blood draws, results reports in nanograms / ml (ng/ml).

Time frame: Week 0 and week 7

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboChange in Leptin Levels0.88 ng/mlStandard Deviation 4.13
RisperidoneChange in Leptin Levels3.27 ng/mlStandard Deviation 3.04
Secondary

Change in Prolactin Levels

Prolactin serum blood levels, measured in nanograms / ml

Time frame: week 0 and week 7

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboChange in Prolactin Levels-5.18 ng/mlStandard Deviation 5.89
RisperidoneChange in Prolactin Levels38.27 ng/mlStandard Deviation 33.05
p-value: 0.1t-test, 2 sided
p-value: <0.01t-test, 2 sided
Secondary

Change in Ratings of Anxiety Symptoms on the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC)

The Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) is a self report measure completed by the subject that measures anxiety symptoms. Higher scores indicate greater anxiety. A score of over 50 is significant for anxiety Change in MASC scores was calculated using an estimate of change in score between week 0 and week 7 derived from the mixed effect model across all time points.

Time frame: monthly to study end point

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboChange in Ratings of Anxiety Symptoms on the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC)7.41 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.87
RisperidoneChange in Ratings of Anxiety Symptoms on the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC)7.87 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 11.19
Secondary

Time to Reach 90% IBW and Maintain for 1 Month, Stratified by IBW <80% at Start of Study

The mean survival time and its standard error were underestimated because the largest observation was censored and the estimation was restricted to the largest event time. These estimates were produced using Kaplan-Meier probabilities.

Time frame: 0 - 18 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboTime to Reach 90% IBW and Maintain for 1 Month, Stratified by IBW <80% at Start of Study10.1 weeksStandard Error 0.4
RisperidoneTime to Reach 90% IBW and Maintain for 1 Month, Stratified by IBW <80% at Start of Study12.9 weeksStandard Error 1.3
Secondary

Time to Reach 90% Ideal Body Weight (IBW) and Maintain for 1 Month, Stratified by >=80% at Start of Study

The mean survival time and its standard error were underestimated because the largest observation was censored and the estimation was restricted to the largest event time. These estimates were produced using Kaplan-Meier probabilities. This was measured weekly from 0-18 weeks.

Time frame: weekly

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboTime to Reach 90% Ideal Body Weight (IBW) and Maintain for 1 Month, Stratified by >=80% at Start of Study10.7 weeksStandard Error 1.6
RisperidoneTime to Reach 90% Ideal Body Weight (IBW) and Maintain for 1 Month, Stratified by >=80% at Start of Study8.1 weeksStandard Error 0.2

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 28, 2026