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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07319936

The Acceptability and Effectiveness of Receiving a Low-intensity Self-guided Psychoeducational Intervention for Individuals Waitlisted for Specialized Eating-disorder Treatment

It is often difficult for people with eating disorders to get timely access to specialized treatment, as waitlists can be long. The present study examines whether or not providing educational materials by email could help individuals with eating disorders while they wait for specialized care. The investigators hypothesize that a low-intensity self-guided intervention will lead to a reduction in eating-disorder attitudes and cognitions, and an increase in motivation to change and body satisfaction.

Sixty-two adults (primarily women) are randomly assigned to one of two groups while being on the waitlist for specialized eating-disorder services. One group receives weekly emails for four weeks with psychoeducational materials about eating disorders; the other group does not receive any materials. The content was adapted from a validated eating-disorder workbook developed by the Centre for Clinical Interventions in Australia and translated into French. Each week, as well as one week after the intervention period, all participants complete brief questionnaires assessing eating-disorder thoughts, body satisfaction, and readiness to make changes in eating behaviours. Participants who receive the materials also rate their level of satisfaction with the materials as well as how useful and engaging they find the content.

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Key information

Conditions

Eating Disorders Feeding and Eating Disorders Mental Disorders Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Digestive

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Douglas Mental Health University Instititute

Montreal, Quebec, H4H 1R3, Canada

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Between 18-65 years and have a diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa or Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED) as defined by DSM-5 criteria.

Exclusion criteria

  • Current substance use disorder
  • Comorbid psychotic disorder
  • Major physical symptoms that could interfere with the intervention or or requiring urgent care (referred to priority 1 during phone evals)
  • Body mass index lower than 15
  • Pregnancy
  • Insufficient access to the internet (by phone, tablet or computer) to complete the intervention
  • Not being able to access 2-3 modules for 4 consecutive weeks.

Information on presence of current substance use disorder, comorbid psychotic disorder, major physical symptoms, body mass index and pregnancy are based on information from the clinical referal form and information from the initial screening for treatment eligibility in the eating-disorder program.

Treatment and study plan

Psycho-education

Behavioral

Receives weekly psychoeducation related to eating disorders via email, while on the waitlist for treatment [experimental condition].

No psycho-education

Behavioral

Does not receive any psychoeducational materials, while on the waitlist for treatment [control condition].

Primary outcomes

  1. Eating Disorder-15

    Time frame: Weekly, from enrollment to the end of the study at week 5 (week 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

    10 items that assess eating-disorder symptoms, each rated on a 7-point Likert frequency scale, ranging from 0 (not at all) to 7 (all the time). A higher score means more symptoms.

  2. Body Satisfaction Scale

    Time frame: Weekly, from enrollment until the last time the materials were offered (week 0, 1, 2, 3, 4).

    State-related changes in body satisfaction are assessed using the Body Dissatisfaction subscale of the Body Satisfaction Scale (BSS). The subscale asks participants to indicate their level of satisfaction with seven body parts (e.g., chest, tummy, legs, etc.) at the time of questionnaire completion on a 7-point Likert scale (1 = very satisfied to 7 = very unsatisfied). A higher score means more symptoms.

  3. Readiness Ruler

    Time frame: Weekly, from enrollment until the last time the materials were offered (week 0, 1, 2, 3, 4).

    The readiness ruler is an 18-item questionnaire, aimed at measuring state-related motivation. The readiness ruler measures readiness to change across nine eating-disorder related attitudes (restriction, weight-shape overevaluation, binge eating, vomiting, laxative use, fasting, diuretic use, weight-gain phobia, and exercise) on a scale from 1 to 10. A higher score means more readiness to make changes.

  4. Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire

    Time frame: Weekly, from enrollment to the end of the study at week 5

    Questionnaire measuring global eating-disorder severity. The questionnaire is being used to assess severity. The responses on the EDE-Q are also used to corroborate the provisional eating-disorder diagnosis at baseline. The questionnaire asks about symptoms the past 28 days and a higher score means more symptoms. The scores on each item ranges from 0 to 6. 0 = no days; 1 = 1-5 days; 2 = 6-12 days; 3 = 13-15 days; 4 = 16-22 days; 5 = 23-27 days; 6 = 28 days.

Other outcomes

  1. Compliance, satisfaction and engagement with the materials

    Time frame: After having received 2 and 4 weeks of psychoeducational materials (week 2 and 4).

    Items are adjusted from the Homework Rating Scale. Participants in the experimental condition are asked to rate how many modules they did, with 0=none, 1=a few, 2=many, 3=most, and 4=all. The questionnaire also include items assessing level of engagement, enjoyment, perceived control over problems, and anticipated future use. Items are scored as 0=not at all, 1=somewhat, 2=moderately, 3=very, and 4=extremely. A higher scoremeans more engagement, enjoyment, perceived control over problems, and anticipated future use.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Douglas Mental Health University Institute

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Acceptability and Effectiveness of a Virtual Psychoeducational Intervention for Individuals Waitlisted for Specialized Eating Disorder Treatment

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jan 6, 2026
Registry last updated
Jan 6, 2026

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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