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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if a peer mentor intervention can assist young people with eating disorders in transitioning from youth to adult treatment services. Participants will pair with someone who has already navigated this transition, providing guidance for 3-6 months. The study will evaluate the effectiveness and helpfulness of this support for participants and gather experiences from their carers and mentors. It suits young people aged 16-24 in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or Prince Edward Island who are moving to adult-oriented ED treatment. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to valuable research that could enhance support systems for others in the future.

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 prior data suggests that the peer mentor intervention is safe for youth with eating disorders?

Research has shown that peer mentoring for eating disorders is generally safe. One study found that mentors sometimes noticed a small increase in their own eating disorder symptoms. However, this did not negatively affect their overall quality of life, suggesting that peer mentoring does not harm those involved. Peer support can also increase hope, involvement, and connection among participants by using mentors' personal experiences to guide others on their journey. Overall, peer mentoring appears to be a well-tolerated and safe approach for people with eating disorders. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the peer mentor intervention for eating disorders because it introduces a unique support system that differs from traditional treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy or medication. Unlike these standard treatments, this approach leverages real-life experiences by pairing individuals with eating disorders with mentors who have successfully navigated similar challenges. This personalized, peer-driven support aims to facilitate a smoother transition and more relatable guidance, which could enhance recovery outcomes and provide a sense of community and understanding.

What evidence suggests that peer mentor intervention is effective for transitioning youth with eating disorders?

Research has shown that peer mentors who have recovered from eating disorders can effectively support those currently facing these challenges. A review of studies found that involving individuals with personal experience in treatment programs can improve outcomes for those with eating disorders. An earlier small study reported positive initial results when using a Peer Mentor Program for these conditions. In this trial, participants will receive a peer mentor intervention, which increased hope, involvement, and connection among those with eating disorders, easing the shift to adult-focused treatment. These findings suggest that peer mentoring could be a valuable part of the recovery journey. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Aaron Keshen, MD

Principal Investigator

Nova Scotia Health Authority

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Citations

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Peer supporters can inspire hope, build connections, share diverse experiences, and disseminate clinical insight and skills through a lived experience lens.