The efficacy of an eHealth prevention and early intervention program targeting eating disorder symptoms in adults.

Not Applicable

Recruiting

Conditions: Eating disorders
Mental Health - Eating disorders

Registration Number: ACTRN12621001244897

Lead Sponsor: Deakin University

Brief Summary: Not available

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: Recruiting

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 576

Inclusion Criteria

Adults aged 18 and over who may have a subclinical or full eating disorder diagnosis for the main ED subtypes, specifically bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), body dysmorphia disorder (BDD; specific to dysmorphia with the body rather than face), other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED), and unspecified feeding or eating disorder (UFED). Diagnosis information will be self-reported in the baseline survey and a clinical phone interview will also be completed to determine eligibility.

In addition, the baseline online survey includes several screening questions to identify those who will probably meet the clinical/subclinical threshold for inclusion into the study. These items ask whether participants have dieted during the past 6 months, and whether they have been concerned about their body, body image, or physical appearance during the past 6 months. These two items are based on prior eHealth interventions for body image and ED, and provide a good screener to reduce the number of phone interviews required overall.

Finally, access to a smartphone throughout duration of 10-week intervention phase of research participation is a necessary inclusion criterion for the study.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants with a diagnosis of (or symptoms consistent with) Anorexia Nervosa (AN; including Atypical AN), Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), Pica, Rumination Disorder, and BDD (specific to dysmorphia related to facial rather than bodily appearance) will not be eligible to participate. These individuals will instead be provided with referral information for treatment and support.

Our baseline survey includes a question about suicidality (‘Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you had thoughts that you would be better off dead or hurting yourself in some way?’). Participants who answer above zero (not at all”) will be excluded from the study, and instead recommended free counselling options such as lifeline, as well as being made aware of GP referral to psychologists.

Study & Design

Study Type: Interventional

Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Eating disorder diagnosis [ EDE interview - At baseline and post-intervention only<br>EDE-Q - At 6- and 12-month follow-up];The Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory (EPSI)[ At all timepoints: baseline, immediately post-intervention (primary timepoint), and at 6- and 12-months post-intervention.]

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Quality of life (AQoL-4D) [ At all timepoints (baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 6- and 12-months post-intervention).];Psychological flexibility assessed using the Body Image Flexibility subscale of the Body Image-Acceptance and Action Questionnaire[ At all timepoints (baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 6- and 12-months post-intervention).];Internalisation of appearance ideals (SATAQ-4R)[ At all timepoints (baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 6- and 12-months post-intervention).];Health economics (direct linkage to MBS/PBS healthcare usage data)[ At all timepoints (baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 6- and 12-months post-intervention).]