Digital Chatbot for Eating Disorders
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests a digital chatbot program designed to assist individuals with eating disorders. It explores various approaches to aid emotional regulation, resist binge urges, manage dietary restraint, and address concerns about weight and shape. Participants are divided into groups to test different chatbot features. This study is suitable for U.S. residents who have a smartphone, speak English, and have an eating disorder diagnosis but are not currently receiving treatment. As a Phase 2 trial, the research measures the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group, offering participants the opportunity to contribute to the development of innovative support tools.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
If you are taking medications that affect your appetite or weight, you may not be eligible for this trial. The protocol does not specify if you need to stop other medications.
What prior data suggests that this digital chatbot program is safe for adults with eating disorders?
Research has shown that digital chatbots are generally safe for use, particularly in mental health care. A study on chatbots for eating disorders aims to enhance their effectiveness in managing emotions, controlling diet, and addressing body image concerns. As a Phase 2 trial, the chatbot has already undergone safety testing in smaller groups. This phase emphasizes effectiveness rather than identifying new safety issues. Chatbots are typically well-received, with few reported problems. They are designed to offer support and guidance, making them a low-risk option for those considering trial participation.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?
Researchers are excited about these digital chatbot programs for eating disorders because they offer a unique, tech-based approach to addressing key aspects of the condition. Unlike traditional therapy that often requires in-person sessions, these chatbots provide 24/7 access, allowing participants to work on emotion regulation, dietary restraint, and resisting urges to binge whenever they need. This immediate accessibility and personalized practice could lead to more consistent engagement and potentially faster improvements. Additionally, the chatbot's ability to target specific components like weight and shape over-evaluation offers a tailored experience that can adapt to individual needs, setting it apart from more generalized treatment options.
What evidence suggests that this trial's digital chatbot program could be effective for eating disorders?
Studies have shown that digital chatbots can effectively help with eating disorder symptoms. In this trial, participants will engage with different chatbot components targeting specific challenges such as controlling emotions, resisting the urge to binge eat, and maintaining healthy eating habits. Research indicates that these chatbots assist users in managing these challenges. Users have reported feeling better about their eating-related thoughts and behaviors after using these tools. Initial findings suggest that the chatbot's ability to offer immediate support and practice exercises helps manage eating disorder symptoms. Additionally, these chatbots provide a convenient and accessible way for people to engage with treatment whenever it suits them.13467
Who Is on the Research Team?
Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Washington University School of Medicine
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Adults over 18 living in the US with clinical or subclinical eating disorders can join this trial if they own a smartphone, speak English, and are not at high risk of suicide. They shouldn't be pregnant, in current treatment for an eating disorder, or have conditions/medications affecting appetite/weight.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive access to various chatbot components targeting different aspects of eating disorders, such as emotion dysregulation, dietary restraint, and resisting urges to binge.
Treatment
Participants receive access to various chatbot components targeting different aspects of eating disorders, such as emotion dysregulation, dietary restraint, and resisting urges to binge.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in ED psychopathology, ED behavior frequencies, comorbid symptoms, and clinical impairment.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in ED psychopathology, ED behavior frequencies, comorbid symptoms, and clinical impairment.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Digital Chatbot Program
Trial Overview
The study is testing how well a digital chatbot program works to help adults with eating disorders like Anorexia nervosa. The goal is to make the chatbot better at supporting individuals who may struggle with these conditions.
How Is the Trial Designed?
16
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Participant will have access to the chatbot component addressing weight \& shape over-evaluation. Participant will receive scheduled targeted practice for the weight \& shape over-evaluation component. At any time, participant will have access to initiate practice in assigned study component.
Participant will have access to the chatbot component addressing resisting urges to binge. Participant will receive scheduled targeted practice for the resisting urges to binge component. At any time, participant will have access to initiate practice in assigned study component.
Participant will have access to the chatbot component addressing emotion dysregulation. Participant will receive scheduled targeted practice for the emotion dysregulation component. At any time, participant will have access to initiate practice in assigned study component.
Participant will have access to the chatbot component addressing dietary restraint. Participant will receive scheduled targeted practice for the dietary restraint component. At any time, participant will have access to initiate practice in assigned study component.
Participant will have access to the chatbot components addressing weight \& shape over-evaluation and resisting urges to binge. Participant will receive scheduled targeted practice for the weight \& shape over-evaluation and resisting urges to binge components. At any time, participant will have access to initiate practice in assigned study components.
Participant will have access to the chatbot components addressing weight \& shape over-evaluation and emotion deregulation. Participant will receive scheduled targeted practice for the weight \& shape over-evaluation and emotion dysregulation components. At any time, participant will have access to initiate practice in assigned study components.
Participant will have access to the chatbot components addressing weight \& shape over-evaluation and dietary restraint. Participant will receive scheduled targeted practice for the weight \& shape over-evaluation and dietary restraint components. At any time, participant will have access to initiate practice in assigned study components.
Participant will have access to the chatbot components addressing resisting urges to binge, dietary restraint, and weight and shape over-evaluation. Participant will receive scheduled targeted practice for the resisting urges to binge, emotion dysregulation, dietary restraint and weight, and shape over-evaluation components. At any time, participant will have access to initiate practice in assigned study components
Participant will have access to the chatbot components addressing resisting urges to binge, dietary restraint, emotion dysregulation, and weight and shape over-evaluation. Participant will receive scheduled targeted practice for the resisting urges to binge, emotion dysregulation, dietary restraint, emotion dysregulation, and weight and shape over-evaluation components. At any time, participant will have access to initiate practice in assigned study components.
Participant will have access to the chatbot components addressing emotion dysregulation, resisting urges to binge, and weight and shape over-evaluation. Participant will receive scheduled targeted practice for the emotion dysregulation, resisting urges to binge, and weight and shape over-evaluation components. At any time, participant will have access to initiate practice in assigned study components.
Participant will have access to the chatbot components addressing emotion dysregulation, resisting urges to binge, and dietary restraint. Participant will receive scheduled targeted practice for the emotion dysregulation, resisting urges to binge, and dietary restraint components. At any time, participant will have access to initiate practice in assigned study components.
Participant will have access to the chatbot components addressing emotion dysregulation, dietary restraint, and weight and shape over-evaluation. Participant will receive scheduled targeted practice for the emotion dysregulation, dietary restraint, and weight and shape over-evaluation components. At any time, participant will have access to initiate practice in assigned study components.
Participant will have access to the chatbot components addressing emotion dysregulation and resisting urges to binge. Participant will receive scheduled targeted practice for the emotion dysregulation and resisting urges to binge components. At any time, participant will have access to initiate practice in assigned study components.
Participant will have access to the chatbot components addressing dietary restraint and resisting urges to binge. Participant will receive scheduled targeted practice for the dietary restraint and resisting urges to binge components. At any time, participant will have access to initiate practice in assigned study components.
Participant will have access to the chatbot components addressing dietary restraint and emotion deregulation. Participant will receive scheduled targeted practice for the dietary restraint and emotion dysregulation components. At any time, participant will have access to initiate practice in assigned study components.
Those randomized to receive all chatbot components "off" will receive a referral to seek services.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Washington University School of Medicine
Lead Sponsor
New York University
Collaborator
University of South Carolina
Collaborator
Citations
NCT07218302 | Eating Disorder Chatbot Optimization
In this study the intervention will be divided into four components targeting: (1) over-evaluation of weight and shape; (2) dietary restraint; ( ...
Project Details
The goal of this study is to fill this gap by optimizing an automated chatbot program to treat EDs. We will build on our programmatic research in this area and ...
Eating Disorder Chatbot Optimization - ClinicalTrials.Veeva
The purpose of this study is to optimize an automated digital chatbot intervention for adults with clinical or subclinical eating disorders.
The Effectiveness of a Chatbot Single-Session Intervention ...
This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an SSI delivered by ED ESSI. We examined the chatbot's impact on eating disorder pathology, psychosocial ...
Effect of ChatGPT use on eating disorders and body image
Effectiveness of a chatbot for eating disorders prevention: A randomized clinical trial. Int J Eat Disord. 2022;55:343-353. [RCA] [PubMed] ...
Project Details
The goal of this study is to fill this gap by optimizing an automated chatbot program to treat eating disorders, ultimately resulting in a infinitely scalable, ...
Review of machine learning solutions for eating disorders
This narrative review explores current Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in the domain of EDs, with a specific emphasis on ...
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