Safety Behavior Fading for Body Dysmorphic Disorder

(Open ARSB RCT Trial)

Overseen By Tapan Patel, Master of Science

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Florida State University

Must not be taking: Psychiatric medications

Disqualifiers: Anxiety, Depression, Eating disorder, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 4 weeks

401 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The current study aims to explore the efficacy of a text message based safety behavior fading intervention compared to a relaxing video intervention for appearance concerns.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop your current medications, but you cannot join if your psychiatric medication usage has been unstable in the past 4 weeks.

Is Safety Behavior Fading for Body Dysmorphic Disorder safe for humans?

The research does not provide specific safety data for Safety Behavior Fading for Body Dysmorphic Disorder, but it does not report any adverse effects or safety concerns related to the treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the treatment Safety Behavior Fading for Appearance Concerns differ from other treatments for body dysmorphic disorder?

Safety Behavior Fading for Appearance Concerns is unique because it specifically targets the reduction of safety behaviors, which are actions people take to avoid perceived negative outcomes related to their appearance. This approach is different from other treatments that may not focus directly on these behaviors, which are known to maintain symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder. ^{3 4 6 7 8}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Relaxing Video, Safety Behavior Fading for Appearance Concerns for Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

Research shows that reducing appearance-related safety behaviors can help decrease symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Additionally, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which often includes elements like safety behavior fading, has been effective in improving BDD symptoms. ^{3 9 10 11 12}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jesse Cougle, Doctor of Philosophy

Principal Investigator

Florida State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals seeking treatment for appearance concerns, such as anxiety or appetite disorders related to body image. Participants should not be currently receiving therapy or counseling for these issues and must have stable psychiatric medication use if applicable.

Inclusion Criteria

Seeking treatment for appearance concerns

Exclusion Criteria

My psychiatric medication has been stable for the last 4 weeks.

I am currently getting help for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or body image issues.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either a safety behavior fading intervention with daily text reminders or a relaxing video intervention over the course of a month

4 weeks

Daily text messages for safety behavior fading group; 1 video per week for relaxing video group

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in social anxiety, appearance anxiety, and other psychological measures

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Relaxing Video
• Safety Behavior Fading for Appearance Concerns

Trial Overview The study compares a text message-based intervention designed to reduce safety behaviors linked to appearance worries with watching a relaxing video. The goal is to see which method better helps with concerns about one's looks.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Safety Behavior Fading Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Individuals randomly assigned to the safety behavior fading condition will receive instructions to decrease or eliminate their endorsed appearance-related safety behaviors. In addition, they will receive daily reminders via text message to decrease these behaviors, along with a safety behavior monitoring checklist in which the participant indicates the extent to which they engaged in each safety behavior over the previous day.

Group II: Relaxing Video Active Control 1 Intervention

Individuals randomly assigned to the relaxing video condition will receive a total of 4 videos over the course of a month (1 video per week, 15 minutes each) wherein participants will be invited to close their eyes and focus their attention on the present moment while listening to relaxing piano music and songbirds.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Florida State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

234

Recruited

41,100+

Citations

1. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Appearance-related safety behaviors predict symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder following internet-based treatment. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Modular cognitive-behavioral therapy for body dysmorphic disorder. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reliability and Validity of the Self-Report Version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder. [2023]

4. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Symptom Scale: Development and preliminary validation of a self-report scale of symptom specific dysfunction. [2019]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Predictors of Response to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Body Dysmorphic Disorder. [2020]

6. Sweden pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Shadows of Beauty - Prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Concerns in Germany is Increasing: Data from Two Representative Samples from 2002 and 2013. [2017]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Depression, anxiety, anger, and somatic symptoms in patients with body dysmorphic disorder. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An experimental test of the role of appearance-related safety behaviors in body dysmorphic disorder, social anxiety, and body dissatisfaction. [2019]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mechanisms of cognitive behavioral therapy vs. supportive psychotherapy in body dysmorphic disorder: An exploratory mediation analysis. [2023]

10. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Advances in a cognitive behavioural model of body dysmorphic disorder. [2007]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Emotion regulation and support from others: Buffering of body dysmorphic symptoms in adolescent and young adult men but not women. [2022]

12. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Appearance concerns comparisons among persons with body dysmorphic disorder and nonclinical controls with and without aesthetic training. [2011]