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NCT Number: NCT04677400

More Than Body Appearance (MBA) Intervention

The promotion of a positive body image is crucial to increase the efficacy of psychological interventions targeting body image. Recent studies indicated that positive body image also acts as a protective factor against the onset of ED symptoms. However, in the last decades, research has predominantly focused on reducing body dissatisfaction, with most available psychological interventions for body image adopting a disease reduction perspective while neglecting positive aspects of psychological functioning. This approach has shown limited efficacy in improving body image. Consequently, it is crucial to develop new psychological interventions including both perspectives (i.e., disease reduction and health promotion perspectives) to improve body image and to test their efficacy in different contexts and populations.

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a 2-week online psychological intervention (More than Body Appearance; MBA) designed to improve body image in young women at both high and low risk of developing Body Image Disorders and in female athletes practicing aesthetic sports.

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Key information

Conditions

Body Image

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Padua

Padua, PD, 35131, Italy

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18 or above

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of a full-blown Body Image Disorder (BID);
  • Current treatment for a BID.

Treatment and study plan

More than Body Appearance (MBA) Intervention

Other

The MBA is an online psychological intervention designed to improve body image. The intervention lasts 15 days, and it comprises two types of activity (1st and 2nd week).

During the first week of the MBA intervention, participants sill read three blocks of psychoeducational material including information about: 1) body image; 2) positive body image and healthy lifestyles; and 3) body functionality.

During the second week participants produce 3 structured writing assessment pertaining to body functionality and why it is important. Each assignment focused on two areas of body functionality: 1) body's senses and physical capacities; 2) health and creative skills; 3) self-care/daily routine and communication with others. For each writing assignment, participants were asked to reflect, describe, and specify why these aspects of body functionality were personally important and meaningful to them.

Primary outcomes

  1. Body appreciation

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    Improvements in body appreciation assessed by means of a self-report questionnaire: Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2; Minimum value: 10; Maximum value: 50; higher scores represent higher body appreciation)

  2. Body dysmorphic disorder symptoms

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    Reductions in body dysmorphic disorder symptoms assessed by means of a self-report questionnaire: Questionario sul Dismorfismo Corporeo (QDC; Minimum value: 40; Maximum value: 280; higher scores represent higher body dysmorphic disorder symptoms)

  3. Functionality appreciation

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    Improvements in functionality appreciation assessed by means of a self-report questionnaire: Functional Appreciation Scale (FAS; Minimum value: 7; Maximum value: 35; higher scores represent higher body functionality)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Risk of developing eating disorders

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    Reductions of the risk of developing eating disorders assessed by means of a self-report questionnaire: Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3; Minimum value: 25; Maximum value: 150; higher scores represent higher risk)

  2. Intuitive eating

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    Improvements in intuitive eating assessed by means of a self-report questionnaire: Intuitive Eating Sale-2 (IES-2; Minimum value: 23; Maximum value: 115; higher scores represent higher intuitive eating practices)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Padova

Other

Registry information

Official study title

More Than Body Appearance (MBA) Intervention: Investigation of the Efficacy of a Psychological Online Intervention to Improve Body Image

Acronym: MBA

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2025
First posted
Dec 21, 2020
Registry last updated
Mar 28, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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