About the Study
Help us create an evidence-based relapse prevention program and get free treatment!
The purpose of this clinical trial is to determine the acceptability and feasibility of a 12-week online Anorexia Nervosa relapse prevention treatment. Participants in the study will be asked to complete a virtual screening, brief education about the online relapse prevention treatment, and questionnaires before they begin participation in the study. This National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) funded study will allow us to improve treatment outcomes, enhance full recovery, and decrease the likelihood of Anorexia Nervosa relapse.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I qualify for this study?
You must be between 18 years old and 65 years old to participate. You must also meet criteria for Anorexia Nervosa (AN), AN Partial-Remission, AN Full Remission, or Atypical Anorexia Nervosa (AAN), have been discharged from a high level of care (inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization/day treatment, or intensive outpatient), be medically stable, and not actively suicidal. All inclusion criteria will be evaluated during the first virtual assessment (see below).
Where does the study take place?
The virtual assessment, online questionnaires, and online treatment can be completed from anywhere in the United States!
What will the study involve?
You will first complete a virtual screening (approximately 60-90 minutes) to determine study eligibility. If you are deemed eligible to continue participating in the study, you will complete your first session, which includes brief education about the online treatment (approximately 30 minutes in addition to the screening). You will then complete baseline questionnaires (approximately 30-60 minutes). If assigned to the treatment condition, upon completing the questionnaires, you will complete the online treatment once per week (approximately 45-60 minutes) for up to 12 weeks, in addition to homework worksheets and daily virtual behavioral assessments occurring three times per day for up to 12 weeks. If assigned to the self-monitoring condition, you will complete daily virtual behavioral assessments three times per day for 12 weeks. Following the final online session, you will be asked to complete additional questionnaires. You will then be asked to complete a follow up assessment 2 months after completing the main portion of the study.
What are the benefits of participation?
The possible direct benefit of this study includes a potential decrease in eating disorder behaviors and symptoms and a potential decrease in anxiety regarding common eating disorder fears. Additionally, there is potential benefit that answering surveys about mood, anxiety, and eating disorder symptoms may cause awareness and increase self-monitoring of cognitions and behaviors. Self-monitoring has been shown to be associated with improved behavioral outcomes. Potential benefits to others include the development of an online relapse-prevention treatment that is highly accessible through the use of mobile technology.
Are there any risks associated with participating?
As part of the initial assessments, which are necessary to screen for eligibility to continue participating in the remainder of the study, you will be asked to provide information on sensitive topics, such as eating disorder behaviors and diagnoses, anxiety, and mood. The screening materials used in this study are validated measures and appropriate for screening participants with Anorexia Nervosa.
If you do become distressed, it will likely be for a short period during the screening. You may become distressed during the treatment phase of the study given you will be providing information about a sensitive topic. However, keep in mind this distress should be temporary and will likely lead to decreased eating disorder and anxiety symptoms.
In the unlikely event that you become upset beyond the scope of the screening or the treatment, Dr. Levinson will be on-call to provide resources to you. You will be given the number for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988) should your distress worsen in the future. Additionally, you will be reminded that you may discontinue participation at any point should you wish. We use highly secure teleconference software or telephones to complete the screening assessments.
Will I be compensated for this study?
You will be paid up to $110 for your participation, depending on how many assessments and questionnaires you complete. Additionally, you will receive up to $3,000 worth of free treatment!
Who can I contact for more information?
Potential participants can email [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also use the contact form below to contact us. Please be sure to include that you are interested in the Facing Eating Disorder Fears Study in the comment form.
Help us create an evidence-based relapse prevention program and get free treatment!
The purpose of this clinical trial is to determine the acceptability and feasibility of a 12-week online Anorexia Nervosa relapse prevention treatment. Participants in the study will be asked to complete a virtual screening, brief education about the online relapse prevention treatment, and questionnaires before they begin participation in the study. This National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) funded study will allow us to improve treatment outcomes, enhance full recovery, and decrease the likelihood of Anorexia Nervosa relapse.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I qualify for this study?
You must be between 18 years old and 65 years old to participate. You must also meet criteria for Anorexia Nervosa (AN), AN Partial-Remission, AN Full Remission, or Atypical Anorexia Nervosa (AAN), have been discharged from a high level of care (inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization/day treatment, or intensive outpatient), be medically stable, and not actively suicidal. All inclusion criteria will be evaluated during the first virtual assessment (see below).
Where does the study take place?
The virtual assessment, online questionnaires, and online treatment can be completed from anywhere in the United States!
What will the study involve?
You will first complete a virtual screening (approximately 60-90 minutes) to determine study eligibility. If you are deemed eligible to continue participating in the study, you will complete your first session, which includes brief education about the online treatment (approximately 30 minutes in addition to the screening). You will then complete baseline questionnaires (approximately 30-60 minutes). If assigned to the treatment condition, upon completing the questionnaires, you will complete the online treatment once per week (approximately 45-60 minutes) for up to 12 weeks, in addition to homework worksheets and daily virtual behavioral assessments occurring three times per day for up to 12 weeks. If assigned to the self-monitoring condition, you will complete daily virtual behavioral assessments three times per day for 12 weeks. Following the final online session, you will be asked to complete additional questionnaires. You will then be asked to complete a follow up assessment 2 months after completing the main portion of the study.
What are the benefits of participation?
The possible direct benefit of this study includes a potential decrease in eating disorder behaviors and symptoms and a potential decrease in anxiety regarding common eating disorder fears. Additionally, there is potential benefit that answering surveys about mood, anxiety, and eating disorder symptoms may cause awareness and increase self-monitoring of cognitions and behaviors. Self-monitoring has been shown to be associated with improved behavioral outcomes. Potential benefits to others include the development of an online relapse-prevention treatment that is highly accessible through the use of mobile technology.
Are there any risks associated with participating?
As part of the initial assessments, which are necessary to screen for eligibility to continue participating in the remainder of the study, you will be asked to provide information on sensitive topics, such as eating disorder behaviors and diagnoses, anxiety, and mood. The screening materials used in this study are validated measures and appropriate for screening participants with Anorexia Nervosa.
If you do become distressed, it will likely be for a short period during the screening. You may become distressed during the treatment phase of the study given you will be providing information about a sensitive topic. However, keep in mind this distress should be temporary and will likely lead to decreased eating disorder and anxiety symptoms.
In the unlikely event that you become upset beyond the scope of the screening or the treatment, Dr. Levinson will be on-call to provide resources to you. You will be given the number for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988) should your distress worsen in the future. Additionally, you will be reminded that you may discontinue participation at any point should you wish. We use highly secure teleconference software or telephones to complete the screening assessments.
Will I be compensated for this study?
You will be paid up to $110 for your participation, depending on how many assessments and questionnaires you complete. Additionally, you will receive up to $3,000 worth of free treatment!
Who can I contact for more information?
Potential participants can email [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also use the contact form below to contact us. Please be sure to include that you are interested in the Facing Eating Disorder Fears Study in the comment form.
