ClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT00265109Updated Aug 29, 2019Results posted

Effectiveness of Levetiracetam in the Treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder

A Phase 4 interventional study of Levetiracetam in Body Dysmorphic Disorder, sponsored by Butler Hospital. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2019-08-29.

Sponsored by Butler Hospital · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
17
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years to 65 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of this study is to assess the usefulness of a medication (Levetiracetam) for people with body dysmorphic disorder.

Read the detailed description

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a perceived defect in appearance (e.g., a "large" nose or facial "scarring"), is a relatively common disorder that causes marked distress and impairment in functioning. Recent data suggests that adults with BDD may respond to serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs); however, response to SRIs is often only partial. About one third of patients do not respond to an SRI. Furthermore, patients may stop taking SRIs because of side effects (e.g., sexual side effects). For these reasons, additional monotherapy and SRI augmentation strategies are greatly needed.

Levetiracetam is primarily used as an antiseizure medication and has a wider safety margin than other antiepileptics. Preliminary scientific studies may suggest that it may be helpful for certain psychiatric symptoms and disorders. In the present study we propose to obtain pilot data on 1) levetiracetam monotherapy and 2) levetiracetam augmentation of SRIs in patients with BDD.

02

Conditions studied

  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Keywords

  • body dysmorphic disorder
  • levetiracetam
03

In context

Body Dysmorphic Disorders

56 studies on the registry are indexed under Body Dysmorphic Disorders; 11 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 17 is below the median of 52 across 44 interventional studies indexed under Body Dysmorphic Disorders.

Browse Body Dysmorphic Disorders studies →

Lead sponsor

Butler Hospital is the lead sponsor of 119 studies on the registry; 14 are open to participants now.

Of its 5 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 4 (80%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 65 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Men and women age 18-65;
  • Current BDD or its delusional variant (delusional disorder, somatic type) for at least 3 months;
  • A minimum total score of 20 on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Modified for BDD (BDD-YBOCS) (19);
  • Suitable for treatment in an outpatient setting

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Unstable medical illness, including renal failure or dialysis;
  • Myocardial infarction within 6 months;
  • Current pregnancy or lactation, or inadequate in women of ;
  • A need for prn benzodiazepines, another antiepileptic medication, or an anticipated change in the dose of any concomitant medications while receiving treatment with levetiracetam;
  • suicidality, including a suicide attempt within the past two months;
  • Lifetime history of dementia, schizophrenia, or any other DSM-IV psychotic disorder that is not attributable to BDD;
  • Current or recent (past 3 months) DSM-IV substance abuse or dependence;
  • Initiation of ongoing psychotherapy from a mental health professional within 3 months prior to study baseline;
  • Ongoing cognitive-behavioral therapy from a mental health professional;
  • Previous treatment with levetiracetam;
  • Treatment with medication, depot neuroleptics, or ECT within the past 3 months.
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(5)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

DSM diagnostic criteria

The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.

Contraception

Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.

Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.

Childbearing potential

Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).

Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.

Clinically significant

Judged by the study doctor to matter for your health or for the study. It is a doctor’s decision, so ask the study team if you are unsure whether something counts.

Investigational drug or device

A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.

It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.

05

Study design

Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
17 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Other
    open label

    Open-label trial; all participants received levetiracetam

    Drug: Levetiracetam

Interventions

  • The initial levetiracetam dose will be 250 mg/day, which will be increased to 250 mg BID after 1 week. The dose will then be increased by 500 mg/day each week (given in BID dosing) to a maximum of 3,000 mg/day. The dose will be raised more slowly or the maximum dose will not be reached if response occurs at a lower dose or side effects are problematic. Subjects who are unable to tolerate at least 500 mg a day of levetiracetam will be withdrawn from the study.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of Responders on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD-YBOCS)

    The BDD-YBOCS, a reliable and valid 12-item semi-structured clinician-administered scale assessed BDD severity during the past week. 38 items are rated from 0 (no symptoms) to 4 (extreme symptoms); range=0-48. This scale assesses preoccupation with the perceived appearance defects, associated compulsive behaviors, insight, and avoidance. A ≥30% decrease in total score indicated response.

    Time frame: Baseline to end week 12

Secondary outcomes

  1. Percentage of Participants Who Improved on the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Clinical Global Impressions Scale - Clinician Rating for BDD Symptoms

    The Clinical Global Improvement Scale (CGI) is a widely used 7-point scale that assesses global improvement or worsening of symptoms, with ratings ranging from "very much worse" (score of 7) to "very much improved" (score 1). Ratings of much improved (score of 2) or very much improved (score of 1) defined improvement in BDD.

    Time frame: Last week of treatment (week 12) or last week of treatment for early dropouts

  2. Percentage of Subjects Who Improved on the Clinical Global Improvement Scale (CGI) -- Clinician Rating of Global Improvement.

    The CGI is a widely used 7-point scale that assesses global improvement or worsening of symptoms, with ratings ranging from "very much worse" (score of 7) to "very much improved" (score 1). Ratings of much improved (score of 2) or very much improved (score of 1) defined global improvement.

    Time frame: Last week of treatment (week 12)

  3. Percentage of Participants Who Improved on the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Clinical Global Impressions Scale - Patient Rating for BDD Symptoms

    The Clinical Global Improvement Scale (CGI) is a widely used 7-point scale that assesses global improvement or worsening of symptoms, with ratings ranging from "very much worse" (score of 7) to "very much improved" (score 1). Ratings of much improved (score of 2) or very much improved (score of 1) defined improvement in BDD.

    Time frame: Last week of treatment (week 12) or last week of treatment for early dropouts

  4. Percentage of Subjects Who Improved on the Clinical Global Improvement Scale (CGI) -- Patient Rating of Global Improvement.

    The CGI is a widely used 7-point scale that assesses global improvement or worsening of symptoms, with ratings ranging from "very much worse" (score of 7) to "very much improved" (score 1). Ratings of much improved (score of 2) or very much improved (score of 1) defined global improvement.

    Time frame: Last week of treatment (week 12)

  5. Scores on Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale

    The Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale (BABS) is a 7-item semi-structured clinician-administered scale that assesses seven components of delusionality (insight) during the past week. Scores range from 0-24, with higher scores indicating greater delusionality. Beliefs are also categorized as delusional or nondelusional using an empirically derived cutpoint.

    Time frame: Pre- and post-treatment (week 12)

  6. Scores on Clinical Global Severity

    The 7-point Clinical Global Severity Scale assessed current illness severity at study baseline (score of 1=normal, not at all ill, and score of 7=among the most extremely ill patients).

    Time frame: Pre- and post-treatment (week 12)

  7. Scores on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale

    The 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D 24) is a widely used reliable and valid clinician-administered measure of current severity of depressive symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 76, with higher scores reflecting more severe depressive symptoms.

    Time frame: Pre- and post-treatment (week 12)

  8. Scores on Beck Anxiety Inventory

    The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) is a reliable, valid, and widely used 21-item self-report measure of anxiety during the past week which focuses on somatic symptoms.44 The BAI has been shown to be sensitive to change. Scores range from 0-63, with higher scores reflecting more severe symptoms.

    Time frame: Pre- and post-treatment (week 12)

  9. Scores on Social Phobia Inventory

    The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) is a 17-item self-report questionnaire that assesses fear, avoidance, and physiological arousal associated with social anxiety during the past week. This scale is reliable, valid, and sensitive to change. Scores range from 0-68, with a score ≥19 distinguishing patients with social phobia from both healthy controls and psychiatric controls without social phobia.

    Time frame: Pre- and post-treatment (week 12)

  10. Scores on Global Assessment of Functioning

    The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) is a global measure of symptom severity and psychological, social, and occupational functioning. Scores range from 0-100, with lower scores denoting more severe illness and/or poorer functioning

    Time frame: Pre- and post-treatment (week 12)

  11. Scores on Social and Occupational Functioning Scale (SOFAS)

    The Social and Occupational Functioning Scale (SOFAS) is a global measure of psychological, social, and occupational functioning. Scores range from 0-100, with lower scores denoting more severe illness and/or poorer functioning

    Time frame: Pre- and post-treatment (week 12)

  12. Scores on The Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) -- Short Form

    The Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), Short Form, is a 14-item reliable and valid measure that is sensitive to change. Transformed scores range from 0 from 100, with lower scores reflecting poorer quality of life.The Short Form transformed score is reported.

    Time frame: Pre- and post-treatment (week 12)

07

Results

Posted Nov 16, 2010
Limitations and caveats
This is a small open-label trial.

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneOpen-Label Levetiracetam
Started17
Completed11
Not completed6
Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject5
Withdrew: Adverse event1

Outcome measures

PrimaryNumber of Responders on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD-YBOCS)

The BDD-YBOCS, a reliable and valid 12-item semi-structured clinician-administered scale assessed BDD severity during the past week. 38 items are rated from 0 (no symptoms) to 4 (extreme symptoms); range=0-48. This scale assesses preoccupation with the perceived appearance defects, associated compulsive behaviors, insight, and avoidance. A ≥30% decrease in total score indicated response.

Time frame:
Baseline to end week 12
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Number of Responders on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD-YBOCS)
ParticipantsOpen-Label Levetiracetam
Number of Responders on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD-YBOCS)9
SecondaryPercentage of Participants Who Improved on the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Clinical Global Impressions Scale - Clinician Rating for BDD Symptoms

The Clinical Global Improvement Scale (CGI) is a widely used 7-point scale that assesses global improvement or worsening of symptoms, with ratings ranging from "very much worse" (score of 7) to "very much improved" (score 1). Ratings of much improved (score of 2) or very much improved (score of 1) defined improvement in BDD.

Time frame:
Last week of treatment (week 12) or last week of treatment for early dropouts
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Percentage of Participants Who Improved on the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Clinical Global Impressions Scale - Clinician Rating for BDD Symptoms
ParticipantsOpen Label
Percentage of Participants Who Improved on the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Clinical Global Impressions Scale - Clinician Rating for BDD Symptoms8
SecondaryPercentage of Subjects Who Improved on the Clinical Global Improvement Scale (CGI) -- Clinician Rating of Global Improvement.

The CGI is a widely used 7-point scale that assesses global improvement or worsening of symptoms, with ratings ranging from "very much worse" (score of 7) to "very much improved" (score 1). Ratings of much improved (score of 2) or very much improved (score of 1) defined global improvement.

Time frame:
Last week of treatment (week 12)
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Percentage of Subjects Who Improved on the Clinical Global Improvement Scale (CGI) -- Clinician Rating of Global Improvement.
ParticipantsOpen Label
Percentage of Subjects Who Improved on the Clinical Global Improvement Scale (CGI) -- Clinician Rating of Global Improvement.9
SecondaryPercentage of Participants Who Improved on the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Clinical Global Impressions Scale - Patient Rating for BDD Symptoms

The Clinical Global Improvement Scale (CGI) is a widely used 7-point scale that assesses global improvement or worsening of symptoms, with ratings ranging from "very much worse" (score of 7) to "very much improved" (score 1). Ratings of much improved (score of 2) or very much improved (score of 1) defined improvement in BDD.

Time frame:
Last week of treatment (week 12) or last week of treatment for early dropouts
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Percentage of Participants Who Improved on the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Clinical Global Impressions Scale - Patient Rating for BDD Symptoms
ParticipantsOpen Label
Percentage of Participants Who Improved on the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Clinical Global Impressions Scale - Patient Rating for BDD Symptoms8
SecondaryPercentage of Subjects Who Improved on the Clinical Global Improvement Scale (CGI) -- Patient Rating of Global Improvement.

The CGI is a widely used 7-point scale that assesses global improvement or worsening of symptoms, with ratings ranging from "very much worse" (score of 7) to "very much improved" (score 1). Ratings of much improved (score of 2) or very much improved (score of 1) defined global improvement.

Time frame:
Last week of treatment (week 12)
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Percentage of Subjects Who Improved on the Clinical Global Improvement Scale (CGI) -- Patient Rating of Global Improvement.
ParticipantsOpen Label
Percentage of Subjects Who Improved on the Clinical Global Improvement Scale (CGI) -- Patient Rating of Global Improvement.8
SecondaryScores on Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale

The Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale (BABS) is a 7-item semi-structured clinician-administered scale that assesses seven components of delusionality (insight) during the past week. Scores range from 0-24, with higher scores indicating greater delusionality. Beliefs are also categorized as delusional or nondelusional using an empirically derived cutpoint.

Time frame:
Pre- and post-treatment (week 12)
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Scores on Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale
units on a scaleOpen-Label Levetiracetam
Pre-treatment14.6 ± 4.3
Post-treatment10.4 ± 5.3
SecondaryScores on Clinical Global Severity

The 7-point Clinical Global Severity Scale assessed current illness severity at study baseline (score of 1=normal, not at all ill, and score of 7=among the most extremely ill patients).

Time frame:
Pre- and post-treatment (week 12)
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Scores on Clinical Global Severity
units on a scaleOpen-Label Levetiracetam
Pre-treatment5.2 ± 1.0
Post-treatment4.2 ± 1.6
SecondaryScores on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale

The 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D 24) is a widely used reliable and valid clinician-administered measure of current severity of depressive symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 76, with higher scores reflecting more severe depressive symptoms.

Time frame:
Pre- and post-treatment (week 12)
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Scores on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
units on a scaleOpen-Label Levetiracetam
Pre-treatment18.1 ± 6.4
Post-treatment11.4 ± 8.4
SecondaryScores on Beck Anxiety Inventory

The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) is a reliable, valid, and widely used 21-item self-report measure of anxiety during the past week which focuses on somatic symptoms.44 The BAI has been shown to be sensitive to change. Scores range from 0-63, with higher scores reflecting more severe symptoms.

Time frame:
Pre- and post-treatment (week 12)
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Scores on Beck Anxiety Inventory
units on a scaleOpen-Label Levetiracetam
Pre-treatment12.4 ± 6.8
Post-treatment9.6 ± 5.5
SecondaryScores on Social Phobia Inventory

The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) is a 17-item self-report questionnaire that assesses fear, avoidance, and physiological arousal associated with social anxiety during the past week. This scale is reliable, valid, and sensitive to change. Scores range from 0-68, with a score ≥19 distinguishing patients with social phobia from both healthy controls and psychiatric controls without social phobia.

Time frame:
Pre- and post-treatment (week 12)
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Scores on Social Phobia Inventory
units on a scaleOpen-Label Levetiracetam
Pre-treatment32.9 ± 12.4
Post-treatment29.4 ± 13.8
SecondaryScores on Global Assessment of Functioning

The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) is a global measure of symptom severity and psychological, social, and occupational functioning. Scores range from 0-100, with lower scores denoting more severe illness and/or poorer functioning

Time frame:
Pre- and post-treatment (week 12)
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Scores on Global Assessment of Functioning
units on a scaleOpen-Label Levetiracetam
Pre-treatment46.1 ± 7.8
Post-treatment55.8 ± 14.5
SecondaryScores on Social and Occupational Functioning Scale (SOFAS)

The Social and Occupational Functioning Scale (SOFAS) is a global measure of psychological, social, and occupational functioning. Scores range from 0-100, with lower scores denoting more severe illness and/or poorer functioning

Time frame:
Pre- and post-treatment (week 12)
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Scores on Social and Occupational Functioning Scale (SOFAS)
units on a scaleOpen-Label Levetiracetam
Pre-treatment47.0 ± 8.5
Post-treatment59.8 ± 18.6
SecondaryScores on The Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) -- Short Form

The Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), Short Form, is a 14-item reliable and valid measure that is sensitive to change. Transformed scores range from 0 from 100, with lower scores reflecting poorer quality of life.The Short Form transformed score is reported.

Time frame:
Pre- and post-treatment (week 12)
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Scores on The Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) -- Short Form
units on a scaleOpen-Label Levetiracetam
Pre-treatment49.5 ± 10.3
Post-treatment57.4 ± 14.8

Adverse events

Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Open-Label Levetiracetam—1/17 (5.9%)12/17 (70.6%)
Most frequent serious events
Most frequent serious events
EventOpen-Label Levetiracetam
Increased depression and suicidal ideationPsychiatric disorders1/17
Most frequent other events
Showing 10 of 17
Most frequent other events
EventOpen-Label Levetiracetam
FatiguePsychiatric disorders8/17
IrritabilityPsychiatric disorders4/17
InsomniaPsychiatric disorders4/17
HeadachePsychiatric disorders3/17
AnxietyPsychiatric disorders3/17
NauseaPsychiatric disorders2/17
DizzinessPsychiatric disorders2/17
Feelings of DetachmentPsychiatric disorders1/17
AgitationPsychiatric disorders1/17
Back AchesPsychiatric disorders1/17

Baseline characteristics

Age, Categorical
Age, Categorical(Participants)Open-Label Levetiracetam
<=18 years0
Between 18 and 65 years17
>=65 years0
Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)Open-Label Levetiracetam
Mean36.8 ± 10.2
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Open-Label Levetiracetam
Female11
Male6
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)Open-Label Levetiracetam
United States17
08

Study locations

1 site
  • Rhode Island Hospital Body Dysmorphic Disorder Program
    Providence, Rhode Island 02903, United States
09

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

10

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Aug 29, 2019, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00265109
Lead sponsor
Butler Hospital
Collaborators
UCB Pharma
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Dec 14, 2005
Start date
Dec 2004
Primary completion
Jan 2008
Completion
Jan 2008
Results posted
Nov 16, 2010
Last update
Aug 29, 2019

Study contacts

Katharine A Phillips, M.D.
principal investigator · Rhode Island Hospital/ Brown University
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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