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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new, single-session treatment designed to help prevent eating disorders. It focuses on a quick, habit-based approach to support young adults facing significant eating-related challenges. Participants will either receive this new intervention, called the Single-session Intervention Adaptation of the Habit Framework, or join a control group that involves reading and writing exercises about emotions. The trial seeks English-speaking young adults who struggle with eating issues such as bingeing or purging and have access to a device like a phone or computer. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research aimed at preventing eating disorders.

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 prior data suggests that this single-session intervention is safe for preventing eating disorders?

Research has shown that single-session interventions (SSIs) for eating disorders are designed to be safe and easy to access. These sessions are brief, typically lasting about 30 minutes, and focus on teaching helpful information and self-management strategies.

In studies, similar SSIs have demonstrated positive results without causing major side effects. For instance, one study examined a chatbot-based SSI's impact on eating disorder symptoms and found it was well-received with no major safety issues.

Since this trial uses a single-session format, the risks are generally lower compared to longer, more intensive treatments. While this specific intervention is new, the overall method of SSIs has been safely used in other contexts.

However, because this is the first trial of this specific intervention, detailed safety results are still being collected. Participants can feel reassured knowing that SSIs have a strong safety record in related research. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Single-Session Intervention Adaptation of the Habit Framework because it offers a fresh approach to treating eating disorders by targeting the habit-forming behaviors directly. Unlike traditional treatments, which often involve weeks of therapy focusing on cognitive and emotional aspects, this intervention condenses the process into a single 30-minute session. It leverages psychoeducation and habit training to potentially deliver faster results, making it an accessible and time-efficient option for young adults experiencing high levels of eating pathology. This innovative method could revolutionize the way eating disorders are approached, providing support with minimal disruption to daily life.

What evidence suggests that this single-session intervention could be effective for preventing eating disorders?

Research has shown that single-session interventions (SSIs) can help prevent eating disorders by focusing on changing habits that often lead to these conditions. In this trial, participants in the experimental arm will receive a psychoeducation experience SSI designed to promote healthier eating habits through personalized feedback and self-help tools. Studies have found that SSIs are both helpful and well-received by people with disordered eating patterns. Although this trial is the first to specifically target eating disorders using this method, similar single-session approaches have succeeded in other areas of mental health. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Courtney Breiner

Principal Investigator

Virginia Commonwealth University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06861608?term=Virginia+Little

A Single-session Intervention Adaptation of the Habit ... 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).

2. ctv.veeva.com ctv.veeva.com/study/a-single-session-intervention-adaptation-of-the-habit-framework-for-the-prevention-of-eating-disorde

A Single-session Intervention Adaptation of the Habit ... The purpose of this proposal is to launch the first trial of a single-session intervention (SSI) specifically for the prevention of eating ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12247479/

Acceptability of a personalised single-session feedback ... This qualitative study investigated the anticipated acceptability of an SSI for EDs that provides a personalised health reports and self-management resources.

4. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wps.21263

The current clinical approach to feeding and eating ... Realizing the untapped promise of single-session interventions for eating disorders. Int J Eat Disord 2023; 56: 853-63. 10.1002/eat.23920.

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/393574727_Acceptability_of_a_personalised_single-session_feedback_intervention_for_eating_disorders_a_qualitative_content_analysis

Acceptability of a personalised single-session feedback ... This qualitative study investigated the anticipated acceptability of an SSI for EDs that provides a personalised health reports and self-management resources.

6. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/308937/a-single-session-intervention-adaptation-of-the-habit-framework-for-the-prevention-of-eating-disorders/

A Single-session Intervention Adaptation of the Habit ... EDs can lead to significant mental and physical health consequences and have one of the highest mortality rates of any mental illness.

7. jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40337-025-01333-8

Acceptability of a personalised single-session feedback ... This qualitative study investigated the anticipated acceptability of an SSI for EDs that provides a personalised health reports and self-management resources.

8. jmir.org jmir.org/2025/1/e70874

The Effectiveness of a Chatbot Single-Session Intervention ... We examined the chatbot's impact on eating disorder pathology, psychosocial impairment, depression, anxiety, stress, and motivation for change ...

9. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36987714/

The promise of single session interventions for eating ... Schleider et al. propose that single session interventions (SSIs) could be a promising path toward catalyzing innovation in the development of accessible ...