Peer Mentors for Eating Disorders

(TAY-Mentors Trial)

Overseen By Aaron K Keshen, MD,FRCPC

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Nova Scotia Health Authority

Disqualifiers: Insufficient English, Suicide risk, others

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

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 13

64 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on the transition to adult-oriented treatment with the help of a peer mentor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Peer mentor intervention, Peer mentoring, Peer support, Lived experience involvement for eating disorders?

Research shows that peer mentorship can be beneficial for mental health conditions and has been linked to reduced hospital stays for severe mental illnesses. Studies on eating disorders suggest that peer mentoring can improve hope for recovery, symptom management, and quality of life, offering benefits for both mentors and mentees. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is peer mentorship safe for people with eating disorders?

The research on peer mentorship for eating disorders suggests it is generally safe, as it has been associated with benefits like reduced hospital stays and improved quality of life for other mental health conditions. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the peer mentor intervention treatment for eating disorders different from other treatments?

Peer mentor intervention for eating disorders is unique because it involves support from individuals who have recovered from similar conditions, offering personal insights and encouragement, which is different from traditional treatments that typically involve healthcare professionals without personal experience of the disorder. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Participants will be males and females aged 16-24 with an eating disorder (ED) diagnosis who are transitioning to adult-oriented ED treatment in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or Prince Edward Island. Youth participants will be recruited from community-based clinics, hospital programs, and private practices where ED treatment is delivered. Youth who are interested in participating and provide written consent will be invited to take part in a screening meeting to determine eligibility to participate. Eligible participants will be paired with a peer mentor for a 3-6 month intervention to guide them through the transition to adult-oriented ED treatment. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaire packages before beginning the intervention, after completing the intervention, and 12 months after beginning the intervention. Some youth participants, as well as some of their carers and the peer mentors, will be asked to participate in one-on-one interviews about their experiences with transitions in ED care and the peer mentor intervention. The investigators are conducting this study to determine whether the use of peer mentors is an effective and acceptable means of transition support for youth with EDs. The investigators are also interested in better understanding the experiences of carers and peer mentors who are supporting youth with EDs during their transition in care.

Research Team

Aaron Keshen, MD

Principal Investigator

Nova Scotia Health Authority

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young people aged 16-24 in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or Prince Edward Island with an eating disorder diagnosis. They should be transitioning to adult treatment and not at high suicide risk. Participants must understand English well and give consent.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 16 and 24 years old.

Meets criteria for DSM-5 diagnosis of an ED, as confirmed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Research Version (SCID-5-RV)

Virtually signed informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria

Insufficient knowledge of English

Moderate to high suicide risk rating at screening as assessed by the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS; at the discretion of the PI)

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Intervention Phase 1

Building trust, rapport, and motivation; identifying goals, strengths, challenges, and barriers related to transition

1-2 months

Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly meetings

Intervention Phase 2

Focus on self-reflection, problem-solving, and transition planning

1-2 months

Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly meetings

Intervention Phase 3

Gradual tapering off and conclusion of the peer mentor relationship

1-2 months

Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly meetings

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

12 months

Questionnaire packages and interviews at baseline, post-intervention, and 12 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Peer mentor intervention

Trial Overview The study tests if peer mentors can help youths transition to adult eating disorder treatments effectively. It involves a 3-6 month mentorship, questionnaires before, after, and a year later, plus interviews about the care transition experience.

Participant Groups

Group I: TAY receiving peer mentor intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Transition age youth with EDs (n=50) will receive a peer mentor delivered transition intervention

Peer mentor intervention is already approved in Canada for the following indications:

Approved in Canada as Peer mentor intervention for:

• Eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Nova Scotia Health Authority

Lead Sponsor

Trials

302

Recruited

95,300+

Findings from Research

A randomized controlled trial involving 60 outpatients with eating disorders showed that peer mentorship was more effective than social support mentorship in reducing body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and depression, with a significantly lower dropout rate (5% vs. 39%).

Peer mentorship also led to greater reductions in binge eating days for patients with bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder, and restriction days for those with anorexia nervosa, suggesting it can be a beneficial adjunct to outpatient treatment for eating disorders.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer mentorship as an adjunct intervention for the treatment of eating disorders: A pilot randomized trial. Ranzenhofer, LM., Wilhelmy, M., Hochschild, A., et al.[2021]

A pilot study showed that a mentoring support program significantly improved hope for recovery in individuals with eating disorders, particularly in social relationships, romantic relationships, family life, and work.

While the mentees benefited from the program, mentors did not show significant improvements, suggesting that mentoring can be a valuable support tool for those undergoing treatment for eating disorders.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Benefits of a mentoring support program for individuals with an eating disorder: a proof of concept pilot program. Ramjan, LM., Hay, P., Fogarty, S.[2022]

The peer mentor program (PMP) for individuals with eating disorders showed moderate feasibility and led to significant improvements in mentees' body mass index, quality of life, mood, and perceived disability after 13 sessions over 6 months, with 30 mentees participating.

While mentees benefited from the program, mentors reported an increase in eating disorder symptomatology, indicating a need for careful monitoring of mentor well-being during such programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer mentoring for eating disorders: results from the evaluation of a pilot program. Beveridge, J., Phillipou, A., Jenkins, Z., et al.[2022]

This systematic review analyzed 11 studies on the effectiveness of lived experience mentoring for individuals currently receiving treatment for eating disorders, revealing mixed results; some studies showed significant improvements for mentees, while others found no notable differences.

There is a need for more high-quality randomized control trials to better understand the impact of peer mentoring, as well as to ensure that mentors are properly trained, monitored, and compensated to minimize potential risks and maximize benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effectiveness of lived experience involvement in eating disorder treatment: A systematic review. Pellizzer, ML., Wade, TD.[2023]

Mentoring for individuals with eating disorders or disordered eating provides diverse benefits, including emotional support and personal growth for mentees.

Both mentors and mentees experience positive transformations, highlighting the reciprocal value of mentorship in addressing eating disorders, suggesting it should be more widely implemented in treatment strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A systematic review and meta-synthesis of the effects and experience of mentoring in eating disorders and disordered eating. Fogarty, S., Ramjan, L., Hay, P.[2022]

References

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

Peer mentorship as an adjunct intervention for the treatment of eating disorders: A pilot randomized trial. [2021]

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

Benefits of a mentoring support program for individuals with an eating disorder: a proof of concept pilot program. [2022]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer mentoring for eating disorders: results from the evaluation of a pilot program. [2022]

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

The effectiveness of lived experience involvement in eating disorder treatment: A systematic review. [2023]

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

A systematic review and meta-synthesis of the effects and experience of mentoring in eating disorders and disordered eating. [2022]