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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests methods to help people with body image concerns feel better. Participants will either receive daily text messages to reduce safety behaviors (habits that provide comfort but may perpetuate worries) or watch relaxing videos. The goal is to determine which method more effectively eases appearance concerns. Prospective participants should be seeking treatment for body image issues but not currently receiving therapy or counseling for anxiety, depression, or similar conditions. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore new methods for improving body image without the constraints of traditional clinical trial phases.

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.

What prior data suggests that this intervention is safe for individuals with appearance concerns?

Research shows that the Safety Behavior Fading treatment for appearance concerns is likely safe. Previous studies have found that this method can reduce social anxiety and symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) without causing major side effects. Participants in these studies also worried less about their appearance after the treatment.

This treatment helps individuals gradually stop habits that may worsen concerns about their appearance. Since it doesn't involve medication, it usually carries fewer risks than drug treatments. However, discussing any possible side effects or concerns with the trial team before joining is important. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Safety Behavior Fading for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) because it targets the core behaviors that maintain the condition. Unlike standard treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy or medication, this method focuses on reducing or eliminating compulsive behaviors that individuals use to manage their appearance concerns. Participants receive daily reminders and use a checklist to monitor their progress, which encourages active engagement and self-awareness. This approach directly addresses the behaviors that fuel BDD, potentially offering a more targeted and effective way to ease the disorder's symptoms.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for appearance concerns?

Research has shown that reducing appearance-related behaviors can significantly alleviate symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). In this trial, participants in the "Safety Behavior Fading" arm will receive instructions to decrease or eliminate their endorsed appearance-related safety behaviors, with daily reminders and a monitoring checklist. Previous studies have demonstrated that participants in similar programs, which gradually reduced these behaviors, experienced a significant decrease in worries about appearance and eating disorder symptoms. These improvements were measured with strong results, showing a range from 0.93 to 1.36 for concerns about appearance. The program also reduced social anxiety, body dissatisfaction, and other negative thoughts compared to those who did not participate. Overall, these findings suggest that reducing these behaviors might effectively lessen symptoms related to appearance concerns. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

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. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40010905/

A Pilot Open Trial of a Text Message Safety Behavior ... We found that across both studies participants experienced large reductions in appearance concerns (d = .93-1.36) and eating disorder symptoms (d = 1.06-1.20) ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1740144523000761

Appearance-related safety behaviors predict symptoms of ... The present findings suggest appearance related safety behaviors maintain BDD symptoms following effective computerized treatments.

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05612425

Text Message Safety Behavior Fading for Appearance ... The current study aims to explore the efficacy of a text message based safety behavior fadinig intervention compared to an unhealthy behavior fading ...

4. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31670542/

Effects of safety behavior fading on appearance concerns ... Results: Compared to the control group, the SB fading group exhibited significantly lower social anxiety, BDD symptoms, body dissatisfaction, and maladaptive ...

5. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-anxiety-disorders-3-2025-acc86

Safety Behavior Fading for Body Dysmorphic Disorder ... Research shows that reducing appearance-related safety behaviors can help decrease symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Additionally, cognitive- ...

6. psycnet.apa.org psycnet.apa.org/record/2019-64492-001

Effects of safety behavior fading on appearance concerns and ... The SB fading group exhibited significantly lower social anxiety, BDD symptoms, body dissatisfaction, and maladaptive cognitions at the postmanipulation and ...