Single-Session Intervention for Eating Disorders

Overseen By Courtney Breiner

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University

Disqualifiers: Attention check failure, Anagram task failure, Fast survey completion

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 30 minutes

160 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.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Single-session Intervention Adaptation of the Habit Framework for eating disorders?

Research shows that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective for treating eating disorders, with significant improvements over time. Although the specific single-session intervention isn't directly studied, similar CBT approaches have shown positive outcomes, suggesting potential benefits for this treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Single-Session Intervention for Eating Disorders safe for humans?

The research articles provided do not contain specific safety data for the Single-Session Intervention for Eating Disorders or its adaptations. Therefore, there is no relevant safety information available from these sources. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

How is the Single-session Intervention Adaptation of the Habit Framework treatment different from other treatments for eating disorders?

This treatment is unique because it involves a single-session intervention (SSI), which is designed to be completed in just one encounter, making it highly accessible and potentially effective even if it's the only session a person attends. Unlike traditional treatments that require multiple sessions, SSIs aim to provide immediate support and target core mechanisms of eating disorders in a brief, focused manner. ^{9 10 11 12 13}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this proposal is to launch the first trial of a single-session intervention (SSI) specifically for the prevention of eating disorders (EDs).

Research Team

Courtney Breiner

Principal Investigator

Virginia Commonwealth University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals fluent in English who may be at risk of developing an eating disorder, indicated by a score of 20 or higher on the EAT-26 screening tool. Participants must have access to a phone, tablet, or computer. Those who rush through surveys or fail attention checks and tasks are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

EAT-26 score ≥ 20

English-language fluency, self-reported

Access to a phone, tablet, or computer

Exclusion Criteria

Failure to correctly complete one of the attention checks in the survey prior to the intervention

Failure to correctly complete both anagram tasks in the survey prior to the intervention

Completion of the screening survey or pre-intervention surveys in an improbably fast time

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo a single-session intervention (SSI) focusing on psychoeducation and habit training for eating disorder prevention

30 minutes

1 visit (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Single-session Intervention Adaptation of the Habit Framework

Trial Overview The study tests a single-session intervention (SSI) designed to prevent eating disorders. Participants will complete questionnaires before and after either the active SSI or a control version of it, each lasting about 30 minutes.

Participant Groups

Group I: Experimental: psychoeducation experience single-session intervention (SSI) Experimental Treatment 4 Interventions

This online randomized controlled trial of a habit training intervention includes one 30-minute session for young adults endorsing high levels of eating pathology. The intervention will occur at one timepoint.

Group II: Control: will be matched to the SSI by including both reading and writing exercises. Placebo Group 4 Interventions

The control intervention will consist of supportive therapy focusing on sharing emotions and include an introduction to emotions, writing about emotions, testimonials from other adolescents about the power of sharing emotions, and an exercise asking adolescents how different situations might make them feel.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Virginia Commonwealth University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

732

Recruited

22,900,000+

National Eating Disorders Association

Collaborator

Trials

6

Recruited

530+

Findings from Research

In a study of 73 adolescents with binge-eating disorder (BED), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) showed significant decreases in eating disorder psychopathology over 4 months, indicating its effectiveness for this age group.

Higher levels of dietary restraint and overvaluation of weight/shape before treatment were linked to greater improvements in eating disorder symptoms, suggesting these factors may help predict which adolescents will benefit most from CBT.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Predictors of Symptom Trajectories After Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Adolescents With an Age-Adapted Diagnosis of Binge-Eating Disorder. Schmidt, R., Hilbert, A.[2022]

In a study of 67 women with eating disorders, higher scores on the Maintenance stage of change were linked to better outcomes in reducing eating disorder symptoms and purging behaviors.

The stage of change, particularly being in Action or Preparation, was found to be a significant predictor of treatment outcomes, including weight changes and awareness of eating disorder symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Attitudes towards change and treatment outcome in eating disorders. Rodríguez-Cano, T., Beato-Fernández, L.[2019]

Cognitive behaviour therapy for eating disorders (CBT-ED) is effective for treating non-underweight eating disorders, with significant improvements observed over time in a study of 98 participants receiving two different forms of CBT-ED.

Participants with lower motivation to change showed greater reductions in disordered eating when treated with a version of CBT that included motivational work (CBTm), suggesting that tailoring therapy to individual readiness can enhance treatment outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized controlled trial of two 10-session cognitive behaviour therapies for eating disorders: An exploratory investigation of which approach works best for whom. Wade, TD., Ghan, C., Waller, G.[2022]

In a study of 60 treatment-resistant eating-disordered in-patients, high compliance with treatment at admission was linked to better treatment outcomes, including lower body image disturbance and disordered eating behaviors at discharge.

Compliance at admission was a strong predictor of body mass index (BMI) at discharge for anorexic patients and overall treatment success for all participants, highlighting the need for strategies to enhance compliance, such as motivational interviewing.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Compliance and outcome in treatment-resistant anorexia and bulimia: a retrospective study. Towell, DB., Woodford, S., Reid, S., et al.[2019]

A study of 424 adults with binge-eating disorder (BED) revealed that these patients experience significant functional impairment and interpersonal issues compared to non-clinical norms, indicating a need for targeted treatment strategies.

Patients with BED showed a high level of motivation for treatment, characterized by low resistance to interventions and high subjective distress, suggesting that they may benefit from longer, more intensive, and interpersonally focused therapeutic approaches.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Integrative Approach to Clinical Decision-Making for Treating Patients With Binge-Eating Disorder. Chyurlia, L., Tasca, GA., Bissada, H.[2020]

In a study comparing 45 nonpurging bulimics and 45 binge eating disorder (BED) patients, it was found that 89% of nonpurging bulimics reported that their binge eating was preceded by dieting and weight loss, indicating a more structured pathway to their eating behavior.

BED patients exhibited a more variable pathway to binge eating and had a significantly lower frequency of previous anorexia nervosa episodes compared to nonpurging bulimics, suggesting that BED may represent a more heterogeneous group in terms of clinical characteristics.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Differences between binge eating disorder and nonpurging bulimia nervosa. Santonastaso, P., Ferrara, S., Favaro, A.[2019]

In a study of 205 adults with binge eating disorder, rapid response (≥70% reduction in binge eating by Week 4) was a strong predictor of long-term remission, particularly in those receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy guided self-help (CBTgsh).

While rapid responders in CBTgsh showed sustained remission and lower eating disorder psychopathology, interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) was equally effective for both rapid and nonrapid responders, suggesting it could be a valuable second-line treatment for those who do not respond quickly to CBTgsh.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rapid response in psychological treatments for binge eating disorder. Hilbert, A., Hildebrandt, T., Agras, WS., et al.[2022]

In a study of 629 patients with various eating disorders over 30 months, 42% achieved full remission and 72% achieved partial remission, indicating significant recovery potential.

Adults with anorexia-like eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS-AN) had the worst outcomes, while bingeing and purging behaviors were linked to poorer outcomes in bulimic disorders, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Trans-diagnostic outcome of eating disorders: A 30-month follow-up study of 629 patients. Helverskov, JL., Clausen, L., Mors, O., et al.[2015]

Single-session interventions (SSIs) are proposed as a promising solution to bridge the treatment gap for eating disorders, potentially helping individuals access care more easily and effectively with just one encounter.

Research suggests that SSIs may effectively reduce symptoms and risk factors associated with eating disorders, such as restrictive eating and negative body image, highlighting their potential as both standalone and adjunctive treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Realizing the untapped promise of single-session interventions for eating disorders. Schleider, JL., Smith, AC., Ahuvia, I.[2023]

The paper emphasizes the need for the eating disorder field to adopt single-session interventions (SSIs) as a flexible and timely approach to provide support, highlighting the importance of testing their relevance in this area.

Future research should focus on well-powered trials of SSIs that target specific issues like weight concern and disordered eating, aiming to enhance treatment outcomes and engagement for individuals on waitlists.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Developing the "single-session mindset" in eating disorder research: Commentary on Schleider et al., 2023 "Realizing the untapped promise of single-session interventions for eating disorders". Wade, TD.[2023]

Single session interventions (SSIs) could significantly enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of treatments for eating disorders, but there are still many unanswered questions about their implementation.

Key areas for further research include identifying the target population for SSIs, determining the best treatment mechanisms, defining successful outcomes, and exploring how to effectively integrate these innovations into existing treatment frameworks.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The promise of single session interventions for eating disorders: Lessons to be learned from research on digital mental health. Commentary on Schleider et al. (2023). Linardon, J., Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M.[2023]

Single-session interventions (SSI) for eating disorders (EDs) could provide innovative and effective treatment options, encouraging researchers and clinicians to think differently about prevention and treatment strategies.

There is a need for rigorous empirical research to understand the mechanisms of change in SSI, which could enhance the efficacy of interventions for EDs and potentially other mental health conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A broad range: From simple and brief to intensive single-session interventions: Commentary on Schleider et al. (2023). Ghaderi, A., Welch, E.[2023]

Eating disorders are prevalent and often untreated, with less than 20% of individuals receiving care, a situation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the urgent need for innovative treatment approaches.

The authors advocate for single-session interventions (SSIs) as a promising solution, emphasizing the importance of optimizing these interventions for effectiveness, increasing their accessibility, and addressing structural barriers to ensure widespread implementation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Decreasing the public health burden of eating disorders: Commentary Schleider et al. (2023). Fitzsimmons-Craft, EE.[2023]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Predictors of Symptom Trajectories After Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Adolescents With an Age-Adapted Diagnosis of Binge-Eating Disorder. [2022]

2. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Attitudes towards change and treatment outcome in eating disorders. [2019]

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

A randomized controlled trial of two 10-session cognitive behaviour therapies for eating disorders: An exploratory investigation of which approach works best for whom. [2022]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Compliance and outcome in treatment-resistant anorexia and bulimia: a retrospective study. [2019]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Integrative Approach to Clinical Decision-Making for Treating Patients With Binge-Eating Disorder. [2020]

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

Differences between binge eating disorder and nonpurging bulimia nervosa. [2019]

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

Rapid response in psychological treatments for binge eating disorder. [2022]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Trans-diagnostic outcome of eating disorders: A 30-month follow-up study of 629 patients. [2015]

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

Realizing the untapped promise of single-session interventions for eating disorders. [2023]

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

Developing the "single-session mindset" in eating disorder research: Commentary on Schleider et al., 2023 "Realizing the untapped promise of single-session interventions for eating disorders". [2023]

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

The promise of single session interventions for eating disorders: Lessons to be learned from research on digital mental health. Commentary on Schleider et al. (2023). [2023]

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

A broad range: From simple and brief to intensive single-session interventions: Commentary on Schleider et al. (2023). [2023]

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

Decreasing the public health burden of eating disorders: Commentary Schleider et al. (2023). [2023]