Identifying Effective Technological-based Augmentations to Enhance Outcomes From Self-help Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Binge Eating

Summary

The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of two technology-based intervention systems (including an Advanced Digital Data Sharing (ADDS) with Coaches or a smartphone-based just-in-time, adaptive interventions (JITAIs) system) for improving treatment adherence, skills utilization and binge eating when used in conjunction with a self-help cognitive behavior therapy \[CBT\] delivered via a smartphone application \[app\]). The study is being conducted to test a novel approach to providing evidence-based treatment for binge eating without clinician support in a routine clinical setting.

Conditions

• Binge Eating
• Binge-Eating Disorder
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Bulimia

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Base self-help CBT program

The self-help app will deliver 12 modules that will be based on Chris Fairburn's "Overcoming Binge Eating" self-help book, the most widely used self-help resource for binge eating over 12 weeks. Treatment modules will aim to 1) provide psychoeducation on maintenance factors for binge eating, 2) teach CBT skills designed to interrupt these maintenance factors, and 3) coach participant to set personalized goals each week. Modules will be completed in succession over the course of 12-weeks and a new module will be made open each week. In addition, participants will track their eating and eating disorder behaviors using the self-help app.

BEHAVIORAL

Just-in-time, adaptive intervention (JITAIs) system

When JITAIs are turned ON, the base self-help app will be used to deliver targeted, personalized and automated interventions during algorithm-identified moments when participants could benefit from receiving an intervention for improving two key areas including 1) treatment adherence, and 2) skills utilization based on responses (or lack thereof) in self-help app. When JITAIs are turned OFF, participants will not receive interventions in real-time on the base self-help app.

BEHAVIORAL

Advanced Digital Data Sharing (ADDS) with Coaches

When Advanced DDS with Coaches is turned ON, coaches having a bachelor's degree in health-related fields will have access to a secure web portal called the clinical portal. The portal will also mimic four key behavior change techniques typically employed by an expert clinician including 1) gather data on target behaviors from the base self-help app (i.e., uptake of weekly module, self-monitoring compliance, and skills use), 2) synthesize participants' behavioral data on treatment targets, 3) flag data to indicate behaviors needing improvement and 4) use sophisticated algorithms to generate recommendations for intervening on identified data patterns. Using this information, the coaches will send one weekly email to facilitate improvement in treatment targets over 12 weeks. When Advanced DDS with Coaches is turned OFF, participants' will not have their data shared and will not receive emails from the coaches.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Drexel University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-09-01

Primary Completion

2025-08-31

Completion

2025-08-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations