Online Program for Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Overseen By Jessica Baker

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Equip Health

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how a single online session can help people rethink their body image, particularly concerning the "thin ideal" (the belief that thinner bodies are more attractive). Participants will engage in a virtual session designed to help them recognize and challenge cultural norms about appearance. The goal is to determine if this session can reduce the pressure to meet these beauty standards. Individuals who have completed the body empowerment program, are 18 or older, can read English, and have internet access might be suitable for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research on body image and cultural norms.

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 virtual single session intervention is safe?

Research has shown that digital one-time sessions, like the one in this trial, are generally easy for people to use. For example, Project Body Neutrality found that these programs are helpful and accepted by teenagers with body image and mood issues. Another study found that online treatments for body dysmorphic disorder work well, supporting the idea that online programs can safely help with body image concerns.

Overall, these studies suggest that the virtual body empowerment program in this trial should be safe to try. No major reports of negative effects have emerged, indicating that participants usually handle the program well. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the virtual single session intervention for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) because it offers a unique, accessible approach compared to traditional treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication, which often require multiple sessions or long-term use. This intervention is delivered online in a single session, making it potentially more convenient and less time-consuming for participants. Additionally, by focusing on body empowerment, it provides a fresh perspective that can empower individuals to build a healthier self-image, potentially leading to quicker improvements in their condition. This innovative method could broaden the accessibility of effective treatment for those struggling with BDD.

What evidence suggests that this virtual single session intervention is effective for body dysmorphic disorder?

Research shows that online programs can improve body image. For example, studies on programs like Project Body Neutrality have shown positive results for teenagers with body image and mood issues. These programs help participants question negative cultural ideas about appearance. A review of several studies also found that online programs help adult women feel better about their bodies. In this trial, participants will complete a virtual single-session intervention, which early findings suggest might reduce body dissatisfaction in individuals with body dysmorphic disorder. ^{1 3 5 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 who can access the internet and understand English. They must have completed a body empowerment program designed to help with Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

Inclusion Criteria

You are able to speak and understand English.

You can reliably use the internet.

You have finished the body empowerment program.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Intervention

Participants complete a single 45-minute self-paced, interactive, virtual body empowerment module

1 session

1 virtual session

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in thin ideal internalization immediately after the intervention

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Virtual single session intervention

Trial Overview The study tests a virtual single session intervention aimed at reducing thin ideal internalization by having participants question societal beauty standards before and after the session.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Body empowerment intervention program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

All study participants will complete a single session body empowerment program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Equip Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

80+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A guided internet-based intervention for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) showed a significant improvement in participants' satisfaction with their appearance, with a moderate effect size (d = 0.58), despite challenges in study execution.

The intervention had low adherence and a high dropout rate (55.6%), suggesting that future programs may need to incorporate better motivation strategies and flexible support to address treatment barriers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Internet-Based Treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Feasibility, Evaluation, and Self-Report Data. Schoenenberg, K., Bosbach, K., Baumeister, H., et al.[2023]

A pilot study involving 10 adults with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) tested a smartphone-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and found it to be feasible and acceptable, with no participants dropping out.

Results showed significant improvements in BDD symptoms, insight, functional impairment, and quality of life, with 90% of participants responding positively by the end of treatment and at a 3-month follow-up, indicating strong potential for this digital therapy as a low-cost and accessible treatment option.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development and Pilot Testing of a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Digital Service for Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Wilhelm, S., Weingarden, H., Greenberg, JL., et al.[2020]

Telephone-administered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) over 12 weeks showed clinically relevant reductions in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) symptoms for three out of four patients, highlighting its potential as an effective treatment option.

The study suggests that low-threshold interventions like telephone therapy can improve access to treatment for BDD, especially during barriers such as the COVID-19 pandemic, warranting further research into its efficacy and role in stepped-care models.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Telephone-Administered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Case Series. Drüge, M., Roth, T., Watzke, B.[2022]

The Internet-based CBT program for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD-NET) was well-received by patients and resulted in significant symptom improvement, with 82% of participants showing at least a 30% reduction in severity after 12 weeks of treatment.

The program demonstrated large effect sizes in reducing BDD symptoms (Cohen's d=2.01) and also improved secondary outcomes like depression and quality of life, suggesting it could effectively increase access to CBT for individuals with BDD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapist-guided, Internet-based cognitive-behavioural therapy for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD-NET): a feasibility study. Enander, J., Ivanov, VZ., Andersson, E., et al.[2022]

The internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy program for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD-NET) showed sustained efficacy over a 2-year follow-up, with 69% of participants responding positively and 56% achieving remission from their symptoms.

Participants reported that the ability to access treatment from home was a significant factor in seeking help, highlighting BDD-NET's potential to improve access to effective therapy for individuals with BDD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-term outcome of therapist-guided internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD-NET): a naturalistic 2-year follow-up after a randomised controlled trial. Enander, J., Ljótsson, B., Anderhell, L., et al.[2020]

A 12-week study involving 94 adults with body dysmorphic disorder showed that therapist-guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (BDD-NET) significantly reduced symptoms compared to supportive therapy, with a group difference of -7.1 points on the BDD-YBOCS scale.

At the six-month follow-up, 56% of participants receiving BDD-NET were classified as responders, indicating a ≥30% reduction in symptoms, compared to only 13% in the supportive therapy group, highlighting the efficacy of BDD-NET in improving mental health outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapist guided internet based cognitive behavioural therapy for body dysmorphic disorder: single blind randomised controlled trial. Enander, J., Andersson, E., Mataix-Cols, D., et al.[2018]

A pilot study involving 40 women with body dissatisfaction and disordered eating found that both face-to-face and Internet-based group interventions led to significant improvements in body dissatisfaction and disordered eating, which were maintained at a two-month follow-up.

There were no significant differences in outcomes between the two delivery methods, suggesting that Internet-based therapy could be an effective alternative to in-person sessions, especially for those facing geographical barriers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of internet and face-to-face delivery of a group body image and disordered eating intervention for women: a pilot study. Gollings, EK., Paxton, SJ.[2017]

A 12-week internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) was successfully delivered to 32 participants across nine countries, showing significant improvements in symptom severity as measured by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale for BDD (BDD-YBOCS).

The treatment was found to be safe and acceptable, with 50% of participants responding positively by the 3-month follow-up, and remission rates increasing to 44%, indicating that remote CBT can effectively reach diverse populations without geographical restrictions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Internet-based, therapist-guided, cognitive-behavioural therapy for body dysmorphic disorder with global eligibility for inclusion: an uncontrolled pilot study. Gentile, AJ., La Lima, C., Flygare, O., et al.[2020]

Citations

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Digital Interventions for Improving Body Dissatisfaction in ... This systematic review aimed to explore the effectiveness of digital interventions in improving body image–related outcomes among children and ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10524309/

Project Body Neutrality: Piloting a digital single-session ... This evaluation supports the acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of the Project Body Neutrality SSI for adolescents with body image and mood concerns.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1740144524000986

Digital body image interventions for adult women: A meta ... This study provides statistical syntheses of the evidence for digital body image interventions for non-clinical adult women.

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/370470464_Project_Body_Neutrality_Piloting_a_digital_single-session_intervention_for_adolescent_body_image_and_depression

Project Body Neutrality: Piloting a digital single‐session ... Public Significance Results suggest the acceptability and utility of a digital, self‐guided, single‐session intervention—Project Body Neutrality—for adolescents ...

5. acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpp.13984

Practitioner Review: Assessment and treatment of body ... Body dysmorphic disorder is an under-researched condition. Large-scale epidemiological studies in representative samples of young people are needed.

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40578276/

Randomized trial of a digital single-session intervention for ... To reduce body dissatisfaction at-scale, we developed a digital, single-session intervention (SSI)-Project Body Neutrality.

7. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/372435959_Internet-Based_Treatment_of_Body_Dysmorphic_Disorder_Feasibility_Evaluation_and_Self-Report_Data

Internet-Based Treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder Initial findings indicate the effectiveness of internet-based interventions for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). In order to substantiate these findings, ...