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Treatment Trial of Thermoregulatory Disturbances in Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa Patients With Either Ginger Powder Footbaths or Warm Water Footbaths

Efficacy of Foot Baths With and Without Ginger Powder Additive on the Subjective Feeling of Warmth and on Body Core Temperature of Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa - a Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03886207
Enrollment
24
Registered
2019-03-22
Start date
2019-04-08
Completion date
2020-02-27
Last updated
2020-07-21

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

Conditions

Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa

Keywords

Anorexia, Footbath, Ginger powder, Thermogenic substances, Thermoregulation, External applications, Anthroposophic medicine, Eating disorders

Brief summary

A study to explore whether warm water footbaths with added ginger powder can improve thermoregulatory processes in adolescent anorexia nervosa patients and provide them with an increase in subjective feeling of warmth. The participants will receive a warm footbath four times a week for six weeks with a physiological and psychological testing point once before the beginning of the six-week footbath period and once after.

Detailed description

This is a two-arm randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of warm water footbaths with added ginger powder (experimental) compared to warm water only footbaths (control) in adolescent anorexia nervosa patients. Participants will receive footbaths 4 times per week before bed-time over a period of six weeks.The main focus is on subjective increase in overall body warmth. Moreover, core body temperature, skin temperature at the extremities and several psychological as well as physiological scores and parameters are assessed before and after the six-week intervention. A follow-up is planned at six months post intervention, where core body temperature, physiological and psychological parameters are once more tested.

Interventions

38-40° C warm water footbath with an additive of dried ginger powder reaching up to mid-calf level, as practiced in anthroposophic medicine

38-40° C warm water footbath without any additive reaching up to mid-calf level

Sponsors

Filderklinik, Filderstadt, Germany
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
ARCIM Institute Academic Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

Participants are age and core body temperature stratified and then randomized to one of the two groups (footbath with warm water with additional ginger powder or warm water only). Assessments are taken before and after the six-week intervention phase as well as at six-month follow-up.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
8 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* main diagnosis: Anorexia nervosa * written informed consent of participants and legal guardians

Exclusion criteria

* other eating disorder diagnosis apart from Anorexia nervosa * known allergic reaction to ginger

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Chnge in Subjective feeling of overall warmthBaseline (pre intervention), 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Self-reported feeling of overall warmth measured using the HeWEF 1.2 (Herdecker Wärmeempfindungs-Fragebogen) overall warmth perception questionnaire

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
SlopeInW1Continuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and after 6 weeks (post intervention)Measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
SlopeInW2Continuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
SlopeInW3Continuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
Core body temperatureBaseline (pre intervention), once per week during intervention, 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention), at six-month follow-upCore body temperature measured using an infrared tympanical thermometer as used in clinical routine
Face surface temperatureBaseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Surface temperature in the face measured using high-resolution infrared thermography
Feet surface temperatureBaseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline(post intervention)Surface temperature at the feet measured using high-resolution infrared thermography
Hand surface temperatureBaseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline(post intervention)Surface temperature on the hands measured using high-resolution infrared thermography
Abdomen surface temperatureBaseline (pre intervention) and after 6 weeks (post intervention)Surface temperature at the abdomen measured using high-resolution infrared thermography
24-hour feet surface temperatureOver 24 hours at baseline (pre intervention) and over 24 hours 6 weeks after baseline(post intervention)24 hour surface temperature at the feet measured using a surface data-logger (i-Button TM)
24-hour hand surface temperatureOver 24 hours at baseline (pre intervention) and over 24 hours 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)24 hour surface temperature on the hands measured using a surface data-logger (i-Button TM)
24-hour abdomen surface temperatureOver 24 hours at baseline (pre intervention) and over 24 hours 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)24 hour surface temperature at the abdomen measured using a surface data-logger (i-Button TM)
24-hour torso surface temperatureOver 24 hours at baseline (pre intervention) and over 24 hours 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)24 hour surface temperature at the upper torso measured using a surface data-logger (i-Button TM)
Body Mass IndexBaseline (pre intervention),weekly during intervention, 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention) and at six-month follow-upBody Mass Index (BMI) Calculated as (Weight in Kg)/〖(Height in m)\^2〗
Pulse Transit Time (PTT)Continuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)PTT in ms, measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
Perfusion Index (PI)Continuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)PI, measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
Peak to Peak Time (PPT)Continuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline(post intervention)Peak to Peak Time (PPT, ms) measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
Stiffness IndexContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
Reflection IndexContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
TimeTXContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)TimeTX in ms (millisecond), measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
TimeTYContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)TimeTY in ms, measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
QuotTYTXContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline(post intervention)Measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
AreaAXContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
AreaAYContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
QuotAYAXContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline(post intervention)Measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
AreaAVContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline(post intervention)Measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
AreaAWContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
QuotAWAVContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
QuotTVTWContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
TimeTVContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)TimeTV in ms, measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
TimeTWContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)TimeTW in ms, measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
MinT1Continuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Minimum of the pulse wave measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100 device at the beginning of the second peak
MinT2Continuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline(post intervention)Minimum of the pulse wave measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100 device at the beginning of the second peak
MaxT1Continuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Maximum of the pulse wave measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100 at the beginning of the first peak
MaxT2Continuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Maximum of the pulse wave measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100 at the beginning of the second peak
QuotHRRespRateContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline(post intervention)Quotient of heart and respiratory rates measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
Heart rateContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)beats per minute (bpm) measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
Respiratory rateContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline(post intervention)measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
SDNN (standard deviation of normal to normal)Continuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Standard deviation of normal to normal beats, measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
RMSSD (Root mean square of successive differences)Continuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline(post intervention)Root mean square of successive differences, measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
pNN50Continuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Number of pairs of successive heart rate intervals that differ by more than 50 ms
HF (high frequency)Continuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline(post intervention)Area under the curve between the frequency of 0.15 to 0.4Hz measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
LF (low frequency)Continuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Area under the curve between the frequency of 0.04 to 0.15Hz measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
LF/HF-RatioContinuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention)Ratio of two bands from frequency domain analysis: LF band (0.04-0.15 Hz), HF band (0.15-0.40 Hz), measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
Pittsburgh sleep quality indexBaseline (pre intervention), 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention), at six-month follow-upScores of the PSQI (Pittsburgh sleep quality index)
Eating Disorder Inventory -2Baseline (pre intervention), 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention), at six-month follow-upScores of the EDI-2 (Eating Disorder Inventory)
Eating Disorder Examination- QuestionnaireBaseline (pre intervention), 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention), at six-month follow-upScores of the EDE-Q (Eating Disorder Examination)
Becks Depressions InventarBaseline (pre intervention), 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention), at six-month follow-upScores of the BDI-II (Becks Depression Inventar)
SlopeInW4Continuously over 15 minutes at baseline (pre intervention) and 6 weeks after baseline(post intervention)Measured with the GeTeMed Vitaguard 3100
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale subscale DepressionBaseline (pre intervention), 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention), at six-month follow-upDepression Sum-Score of the HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale) ranging from 0-21 with a cutoff at \>10 (being evaluated as pathological)
Body Image State ScaleBaseline (pre intervention),6 weeks after baseline (post intervention), at six-month follow-upMean of all six item values (range from 0-9) with higher values indicating a positive body image state of the BISS (Body Image State Scale)
Positive And Negative Affect ScheduleBaseline (pre intervention), 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention), at six-month follow-upScores of the PANAS-X (Positive and negative affect schedule)
Short Form Health Survey 12Baseline (pre intervention), 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention), at six-month follow-upScores of the SF-12 (Short Form 12)
Basler Befindlichkeits SkalaBaseline (pre intervention), once per week during intervention, 6 weeks after baseline(post intervention), at six-month follow-upScores of the BBS (Basler Befindlichkeits Skala =basler mood questionnaire)
Body Shape QuestionnaireBaseline (pre intervention), once per week during intervention,6 weeks after baseline (post intervention), at six-month follow-upScores of the BSQ (Body Shape Questionnaire)
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale subscale AnxietyBaseline (pre intervention), 6 weeks after baseline (post intervention), at six-month follow-upAnxiety Sum-Score of the HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale) ranging from 0-21 with a cutoff at \>10 (being evaluated as pathological)

Countries

Germany

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026