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Chaudhry BM, Siek KA, Connelly K. The Usability and Feasibility of a Dietary Intake Self-Monitoring Application in a Population with Varying Literacy Levels. J Pers Med 2024; 14:1001. [PMID: 39338255 PMCID: PMC11432908 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14091001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2024] [Accepted: 09/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our aim was to study how hemodialysis patients with varying levels of literacy would use a diet and fluid intake monitoring mobile application (DIMA-P) and what would be its impact on their dietary behaviors. MATERIALS AND METHODS We developed a mobile application using user-centered methods and informed by the Integrated Theory of Health Behavior Change (ITHBC). Eight hemodialysis patients were recruited to use the application to record and monitor their diet and fluid intakes for a 6-week study. Overall, the participants had low literacy, numeracy, and technical skills. We collected the data on application usage and administered usability and context-of-use questionnaires to gain insights into the participants' interaction with the application. The participants' portion estimation skills and dietary self-regulation self-efficacy were assessed using various tests. In addition, interdialytic weight gain data were collected to assess the impact of app usage on the participants' health outcomes. RESULTS The application usage patterns varied, with a general trend towards frequent use (n = 5) correlating with engagement in self-monitoring. The participants gave high comprehensibility, user-friendliness, satisfaction, and usefulness ratings, suggesting that the app was well designed and the target users could easily navigate and interact with the features. While the participants improved in estimating portion sizes, the impact on measuring skills was variable. There was also an improvement in the participants' dietary self-regulation self-efficacy post-study. The interdialytic weight gain trends indicated a slight improvement in fluid and diet management. CONCLUSION People with different literacy skills can effectively use icon-based interfaces for portion size estimation and develop personalized usage patterns to self-regulate their fluid and dietary intakes. Moreover, they can experience an enhancement in their dietary self-efficacy skills by using a mobile application aimed at providing nutritional feedback. Furthermore, this research shows that the constructs of the ITHBC are effective in promoting dietary behavior change in a population with varying literacy skills. The target users can benefit from explicitly visualizing the relationship between their health outcomes and the factors influencing those outcomes. These user ambitions could be supported by developing machine learning models. Future research should also focus on enhancing the mechanisms by which technology can further enhance each component of the ITHBC framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beenish Moalla Chaudhry
- School of Computing and Informatics, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA
| | - Katie A Siek
- Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA
| | - Kay Connelly
- Office of Research and Innovation, Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Thomas PC, Curtis K, Potts HWW, Bark P, Perowne R, Rookes T, Rowe S. Behavior Change Techniques Within Digital Interventions for the Treatment of Eating Disorders: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JMIR Ment Health 2024; 11:e57577. [PMID: 39088817 PMCID: PMC11327638 DOI: 10.2196/57577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous systematic reviews of digital eating disorder interventions have demonstrated effectiveness at improving symptoms of eating disorders; however, our understanding of how these interventions work and what contributes to their effectiveness is limited. Understanding the behavior change techniques (BCTs) that are most commonly included within effective interventions may provide valuable information for researchers and developers. Establishing whether these techniques have been informed by theory will identify whether they target those mechanisms of action that have been identified as core to changing eating disorder behaviors. It will also evaluate the importance of a theoretical approach to digital intervention design. OBJECTIVE This study aims to define the BCTs within digital self-management interventions or minimally guided self-help interventions for adults with eating disorders that have been evaluated within randomized controlled trials. It also assessed which of the digital interventions were grounded in theory and the range of modes of delivery included. METHODS A literature search identified randomized controlled trials of digital intervention for the treatment of adults with eating disorders with minimal therapist support. Each digital intervention was coded for BCTs using the established BCT Taxonomy v1; for the application of theory using an adapted version of the theory coding scheme (TCS); and for modes of delivery using the Mode of Delivery Ontology. A meta-analysis evaluated the evidence that any individual BCT moderated effect size or that other potential factors such as the application of theory or number of modes of delivery had an effect on eating disorder outcomes. RESULTS Digital interventions included an average of 14 (SD 2.6; range 9-18) BCTs. Self-monitoring of behavior was included in all effective interventions, with Problem-solving, Information about antecedents, Feedback on behavior, Self-monitoring of outcomes of behavior, and Action planning identified in >75% (13/17) of effective interventions. Social support and Information about health consequences were more evident in effective interventions at follow-up compared with postintervention measurement. The mean number of modes of delivery was 4 (SD 1.6; range 2-7) out of 12 possible modes, with most interventions (15/17, 88%) being web based. Digital interventions that had a higher score on the TCS had a greater effect size than those with a lower TCS score (subgroup differences: χ21=9.7; P=.002; I²=89.7%) within the meta-analysis. No other subgroup analyses had statistically significant results. CONCLUSIONS There was a high level of consistency in terms of the most common BCTs within effective interventions; however, there was no evidence that any specific BCT contributed to intervention efficacy. The interventions that were more strongly informed by theory demonstrated greater improvements in eating disorder outcomes compared to waitlist or treatment-as-usual controls. These results can be used to inform the development of future digital eating disorder interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42023410060; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=410060.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Carien Thomas
- Department of Epidemiology & Applied Clinical Research, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kristina Curtis
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Henry W W Potts
- UCL Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pippa Bark
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Perowne
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tasmin Rookes
- UCL Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Rowe
- Department of Epidemiology & Applied Clinical Research, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Reilly EE, Gorrell S, Johnson C, Duffy A, Blalock DV, Mehler P, Johnson M, Le Grange D, Rienecke RD. Characterising use of recovery record among a large, transdiagnostic sample of adults with eating disorders across higher levels of care. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2024; 32:404-416. [PMID: 37997259 PMCID: PMC10994750 DOI: 10.1002/erv.3053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Smartphone applications (i.e., apps) designed to target mental health symptoms have received increasing public and empirical attention, including in eating disorder|eating disorders (EDs) treatment. While some data have begun to characterise app users in non-controlled settings, there is limited information on use of apps in higher levels of care (e.g., partial hospitalisation or residential treatment programs) for EDs. METHOD This study aimed to explore metrics of use while in treatment for a commonly used ED-focused mobile app (Recovery Record) among individuals enroled in intensive outpatient, partial hospitalisation, residential, or inpatient treatments (N = 2042). RESULTS Results indicated that older individuals and participants with binge eating disorder demonstrated more frequent app engagement compared to younger participants and other ED diagnoses, respectively. Individuals entering at intensive outpatient and partial hospitalisation levels of care, as well as those with routine discharges engaged more frequently with RR compared to individuals entering in inpatient or residential treatment, and those with non-routine discharges. CONCLUSIONS Our data provide initial descriptions of how RR may be used within higher levels of care for adults with EDs. Further work is needed to establish the benefit of these apps in clinical settings for EDs over and above standard treatment, better characterise for whom these apps provide benefit, and identify how best to tailor the experience to promote engagement across the full spectrum of ED patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Reilly
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sasha Gorrell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Craig Johnson
- Eating Recovery Center/Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Alan Duffy
- Eating Recovery Center/Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Dan V Blalock
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Philip Mehler
- Eating Recovery Center/Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
- Acute Center for Eating Disorders at Denver Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Madelyn Johnson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Le Grange
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience, The University of Chicago (Emeritus), Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Renee D Rienecke
- Eating Recovery Center/Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Schlegl S, Maier J, Dieffenbacher A, Voderholzer U. Efficacy of a therapist-guided smartphone-based intervention to support recovery from bulimia nervosa: Study protocol of a randomized controlled multi-centre trial. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2024; 32:350-362. [PMID: 37936300 DOI: 10.1002/erv.3047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although inpatient treatment is highly effective for patients with bulimia nervosa (BN), some patients show a resurgence of symptoms and relapse after discharge. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a guided smartphone-based aftercare intervention following inpatient treatment to support recovery. METHOD 172 female patients with BN (DSM-5: 307.51) will be randomized to receive a 16-week smartphone-based aftercare intervention (German version of 'Recovery Record') with therapist feedback as an add-on element to treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU alone. Assessments will take place at baseline (discharge, T0), during the intervention (after 4 weeks, T1), post-intervention (after 16 weeks, T2) and at 6-month follow-up (T3). Primary outcome will be remission at T2. Moderator and mediator analyses will investigate for whom the aftercare intervention suits best and how it works. CONCLUSIONS This is the first randomized controlled trial to examine a guided smartphone-based aftercare intervention following inpatient treatment of patients with BN. We expect that this innovative aftercare intervention is highly accepted by the patients and that it has the potential to support recovery after inpatient treatment and thereby could contribute to improving aftercare for patients with BN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Schlegl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (LMU), University Hospital of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Maier
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (LMU), University Hospital of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Dieffenbacher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (LMU), University Hospital of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrich Voderholzer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (LMU), University Hospital of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Schoen Clinic Roseneck, Prien am Chiemsee, Germany
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Mayer G, Lemmer D, Michelsen I, Schrader P, Friederich HC, Bauer S. Views of German mental health professionals on the use of digital mental health interventions for eating disorders: a qualitative interview study. J Eat Disord 2024; 12:32. [PMID: 38395950 PMCID: PMC10885453 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-024-00978-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) are getting increasingly important for mental health care. In the case of eating disorders (EDs), DMHIs are still in early stages. Few studies so far investigated the views of mental health professionals for EDs on the integration of DMHIs in routine care. OBJECTIVE To gain insights into the experiences, perspectives, and expectations of mental health professionals for EDs regarding DMHIs and to identify requirements for the future integration of DMHIs into routine care. METHODS Semi-structured qualitative telephone interviews with 24 German mental health professionals treating patients with EDs were conducted. A content analysis following a deductive-inductive approach asked for experiences, advantages and chances, disadvantages and boundaries, desired functions and properties, target groups, and general conditions and requirements for DMHIs for patients with EDs. RESULTS Only few professionals reported experiences with DMHIs besides video-based psychotherapy during the pandemic. From the therapists' point of view, DMHIs have the potential to deliver low-threshold access for patients with EDs. Useful functionalities were seen in digital meal records, skills training, and psychoeducation. However, a stable therapeutic alliance was reported as an important prerequisite for the successful integration into care. Therapists expressed concerns in case of severe anorexia nervosa or suicidality. The participants felt to be informed inadequately on recent developments and on the evidence base of DMHIs. CONCLUSIONS Mental health professionals for EDs show positive attitudes towards DMHIs, however many barriers to the integration in routine care were observed. The highest potential was seen for the use of DMHIs in addition to outpatient care and in aftercare. Specific requirements for DMHIs are related to different areas of the healthcare spectrum and for the different symptom profiles in anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Targeted DMHIs are needed and appropriate especially for concepts of blended care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwendolyn Mayer
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Diana Lemmer
- Center for Psychotherapy Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, Bergheimer Str. 54, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ina Michelsen
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pauline Schrader
- Center for Psychotherapy Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, Bergheimer Str. 54, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans-Christoph Friederich
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), partner site Mannheim/Heidelberg/Ulm, Germany
| | - Stephanie Bauer
- Center for Psychotherapy Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, Bergheimer Str. 54, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), partner site Mannheim/Heidelberg/Ulm, Germany
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Bohrer BK, Chen Y, Christensen KA, Forbush KT, Thomeczek ML, Richson BN, Chapa DAN, Jarmolowicz DP, Gould SR, Negi S, Perko VL, Morgan RW. A pilot multiple-baseline study of a mobile cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of eating disorders in university students. Int J Eat Disord 2023; 56:1623-1636. [PMID: 37213077 PMCID: PMC10765960 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Eating disorders (EDs) are serious psychiatric disorders associated with substantial morbidity and mortality that are prevalent among university students. Because many students do not receive treatment due to lack of access on university campuses, mobile-health (mHealth) adaptations of evidence-based treatments represent an opportunity to increase treatment accessibility and engagement. The purpose of this study was to test the initial efficacy of Building Healthy Eating and Self-Esteem Together for University Students (BEST-U), which is a 10-week mHealth self-guided cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-gsh) app that is paired with a brief 25-30-min weekly telehealth coaching, for reducing ED psychopathology in university students. METHOD A non-concurrent multiple-baseline design (N = 8) was used to test the efficacy of BEST-U for reducing total ED psychopathology (primary outcome), ED-related behaviors and cognitions (secondary outcomes), and ED-related clinical impairment (secondary outcome). Data were examined using visual analysis and Tau-BC effect-size calculations. RESULTS BEST-U significantly reduced total ED psychopathology and binge eating, excessive exercise, and restriction (effect sizes ranged from -0.39 to -0.92). Although body dissatisfaction decreased, it was not significant. There were insufficient numbers of participants engaging in purging to evaluate purging outcomes. Clinical impairment significantly reduced from pre-to-post-treatment. DISCUSSION The current study provided initial evidence that BEST-U is a potentially efficacious treatment for reducing ED symptoms and ED-related clinical impairment. Although larger-scale randomized controlled trials are needed, BEST-U may represent an innovative, scalable tool that could reach greater numbers of underserved university students than traditional intervention-delivery models. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE Using a single-case experimental design, we found evidence for the initial efficacy of a mobile guided-self-help cognitive-behavioral therapy program for university students with non-low weight binge-spectrum eating disorders. Participants reported significant reductions in ED symptoms and impairment after completion of the 10-week program. Guided self-help programs show promise for filling an important need for treatment among university students with an ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany K. Bohrer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego Health Eating Disorders Center for Treatment and Research, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Yiyang Chen
- Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Kara A. Christensen
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Kelsie T. Forbush
- Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Sara R. Gould
- Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Sonakshi Negi
- Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Victoria L. Perko
- University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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Carrino EA, Flatt RE, Pawar PS, Sanzari CM, Tregarthen JP, Argue S, Thornton LM, Bulik CM, Watson HJ. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of treated and untreated adults with bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder recruited for a large-scale research study. J Eat Disord 2023; 11:126. [PMID: 37525298 PMCID: PMC10391988 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-023-00846-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eating disorders affect millions of people worldwide, but most never receive treatment. The majority of clinical research on eating disorders has focused on individuals recruited from treatment settings, which may not represent the broader population of people with eating disorders. This study aimed to identify potential differences in the characteristics of individuals with eating disorders based on whether they self-reported accessing treatment or not, in order to contribute to a better understanding of their diverse needs and experiences. METHODS The study population included 762 community-recruited individuals (85% female, M ± SD age = 30 ± 7 years) with bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder (BN/BED) enrolled in the Binge Eating Genetics Initiative (BEGIN) United States study arm. Participants completed self-report surveys on demographics, treatment history, past and current eating disorder symptoms, weight history, and their current mental health and gastrointestinal symptoms. Untreated participants (n = 291, 38%) were compared with treated participants (n = 471, 62%) who self-reported accessing BN/BED treatment at some point in their lives. RESULTS Untreated participants disproportionately self-identified as male and as a racial or ethnic minority compared with treated participants. Treated participants reported a more severe illness history, specifically, an earlier age at onset, more longstanding and frequent eating disorder symptoms over their lifetime, and greater body dissatisfaction and comorbid mental health symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, ADHD) at the time of the study. A history of anorexia nervosa was positively associated with treatment engagement. Individuals self-reporting a history of inpatient or residential treatment exhibited the most severe illness history, those with outpatient treatment had a less severe illness history, and untreated individuals had the mildest illness history. CONCLUSIONS Historically overlooked and marginalized populations self-reported lower treatment access rates, while those who accessed treatment reported more severe eating disorder and comorbid mental health symptoms, which may have motivated them to seek treatment. Clinic-based recruitment samples may not represent individuals with milder symptoms or racial and ethnic diversity, and males. Community-based recruitment is crucial for improving the ability to apply research findings to broader populations and reducing disparities in medical research. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04162574 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04162574 ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A. Carrino
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Rachael E. Flatt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Pratiksha S. Pawar
- Department of Biotechnology, Dr D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, India
| | - Christina M. Sanzari
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY USA
| | | | | | - Laura M. Thornton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Cynthia M. Bulik
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels Väg 12A, 171 65 Solna, Stockholm Sweden
| | - Hunna J. Watson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Division of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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Carrino E, Flatt R, Pawar P, Sanzari C, Tregarthen J, Argue S, Thornton L, Bulik C, Watson H. Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics of Treated and Untreated Adults with Bulimia Nervosa and/or Binge-eating Disorder Recruited for a Large-Scale Research Study. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2899349. [PMID: 37214840 PMCID: PMC10197743 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2899349/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Background: Eating disorders affect millions of people worldwide, but most never receive treatment. The majority of clinical research on eating disorders has focused on individuals recruited from treatment settings, which may not represent the broader population of people with eating disorders. This study compared the characteristics of individuals with eating disorders based on whether they self-reported accessing treatment or not, to identify potential differences and contribute to a better understanding of the diverse needs and experiences of individuals with eating disorders. Methods: The study population included 762 community-recruited individuals (85% female, M ± SD age = 30 ± 7 y) with bulimia nervosa and/or binge eating disorder (BN/BED) enrolled in the Binge-Eating Genetics Initiative (BEGIN) United States study arm. Participants completed self-report surveys on demographics, treatment history, past and current eating disorder symptoms, weight history, and current mental health and gastrointestinal comorbidity. Untreated participants ( n = 291, 38%) were compared with treated participants ( n = 471, 62%) who self-reported accessing BN/BED treatment at some point in their lives. Results: Untreated participants disproportionately self-identified as male and as a racial or ethnic minority compared with treated participants. Treated participants reported a more severe illness history, specifically, an earlier age at onset, more longstanding and frequent ED symptoms over their lifetime, and higher body dissatisfaction and comorbid mental health symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, ADHD) at the time of the study. Those who reported a history of inpatient or residential treatment displayed the most severe illness history, whereas those who reported outpatient treatment had a less severe illness history, and untreated individuals had the mildest illness history. Conclusions: Individuals from historically overlooked or marginalized populations were less likely to access treatment. Those who accessed treatment had more severe ED and comorbid symptoms, which may have motivated them to seek treatment. Clinic-based recruitment samples may not accurately represent all individuals with EDs, particularly those with milder symptoms and those with gender or racial/ethnic diversity. The results of this study indicate that community-based recruitment is crucial for improving the ability to apply research findings to broader populations and to reduce disparities in medical research. Trial Registration : ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04162574 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04162574).
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Barakat S, Maguire S. Accessibility of Psychological Treatments for Bulimia Nervosa: A Review of Efficacy and Engagement in Online Self-Help Treatments. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:ijerph20010119. [PMID: 36612445 PMCID: PMC9819826 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterised by marked impairment to one's physical health and social functioning, as well as high rates of chronicity and comorbidity. This literature review aims to summarise existing academic research related to the symptom profile of BN, the costs and burden imposed by the illness, barriers to the receipt of care, and the evidence base for available psychological treatments. As a consequence of well-documented difficulties in accessing evidence-based treatments for eating disorders, efforts have been made towards developing innovative, diverse channels to deliver treatment, with several of these attempting to harness the potential of digital platforms. In response to the increasing number of trials investigating the utility of online treatments, this paper provides a critical review of previous attempts to examine digital interventions in the treatment of eating disorders. The results of a focused literature review are presented, including a detailed synthesis of a knowledgeable selection of high-quality articles with the aim of providing an update on the current state of research in the field. The results of the review highlight the potential for online self-help treatments to produce moderately sized reductions in core behavioural and cognitive symptoms of eating disorders. However, concern is raised regarding the methodological limitations of previous research in the field, as well as the high rates of dropout and poor adherence reported across most studies. The review suggests directions for future research, including the need to replicate previous findings using rigorous study design and methodology, as well as further investigation regarding the utility of clinician support and interactive digital features as potential mechanisms for offsetting low rates of engagement with online treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Barakat
- InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, University of Sydney, Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown 2050, Australia
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Camperdown 2050, Australia
| | - Sarah Maguire
- InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, University of Sydney, Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown 2050, Australia
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Graham AK, Fitzsimmons‐Craft EE. Accelerating the research-to-practice translation of eating disorder apps and other digital interventions: Commentary on O'Leary and Torous (2022). Int J Eat Disord 2022; 55:1635-1638. [PMID: 36111655 PMCID: PMC9825992 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Smartphone apps are increasingly being developed to address mental health problems, including eating disorders. Yet a review by O'Leary and Torous (2022) revealed the dearth of publicly available evidence-based apps for eating disorders, despite growing research in this area in recent years. The lack of publicly available evidence-based apps is problematic for society and reflects a gap in the research-to-practice translation of the advances that have been made through academic research in this area. We detail barriers that academic researchers face to such translation, including the lack of incentives and pathways for making these interventions available beyond the academic institutions in which they are often created. The effective translation of eating disorder apps, and other digital approaches, from research to practice will require new approaches, including bolstering successful and sustainable translation through partnerships across sectors, being more proactive toward research-to-practice translation, and designing more sustainable digital interventions. Harnessing such approaches can improve the availability of evidence-based eating disorder apps and other digital approaches. Additionally, academic researchers are encouraged to be advocates within their institutions and with funding agencies to find ways to better incentivize and fund these efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea K. Graham
- Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies, Department of Medical Social SciencesNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
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