sAbout the Study
Help us create an evidence-based relapse prevention program and get free treatment!
The purpose of this clinical trial is to compare two five-week online eating disorder relapse prevention treatments. Participants in the study will be asked to complete a phone 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) supported study will allow us to improve treatment outcomes, enhance full recovery, and decrease the likelihood of relapse.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I qualify for this study?
You must be at least 18 years old to participate. You must also currently meet criteria for Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), or OSFED-Atypical AN, must be medically stable, and discharged from a higher level of care (inpatient, residential, partial hospital/day program, or intensive outpatient) within the past four months. All inclusion criteria will be evaluated during the first phone assessment (see below).
Where does the study take place?
This telephone, online questionnaire, and mobile-app study can be completed from anywhere in the United States! You can take place in this from anywhere in the United States!
What will the study involve?
You will first complete a phone screening (approximately 60-90 minutes) to determine study eligibility. If you are deemed eligible to continue participating in the main portion of the study, you will complete your first session which includes brief education about the online treatment. You will then complete baseline questionnaires (approximately 60-90 minutes). You will then complete an app-based behavior task that takes about 20-30 minutes. Upon completing the behavioral task, you will complete the online relapse prevention treatment once per week (approximately 45-60 minutes) for 4 weeks. Following the final online session, you will be asked to complete final questionnaires and the app-based behavior task. You will then be asked to complete follow up assessments 1-, 6-, 12-, and 18- 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 & symptoms and a potential decrease in anxiety. Additionally, the 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 and allows for personalization 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 eating disorders.
If you do become distressed, it will likely be for a short period during the course of the screening. You may become distressed during the treatment phase of the study given you will be writing about a highly sensitive topic. However, keep in mind this distress should be temporary and 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 numbers for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, local crises centers, and emergency rooms 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 $200 for your participation, depending on how many mobile-app session and follow up assessments you complete. Additionally, you will received up to $1200 of free treatment!
Who can I contact for more information?
Potential participants can email onlinerelapsepreventionstudy@gmail.com or louisvilleeatlab@gmail.com. Or please use the contact form below to contact us. Please be sure to include that you're interested in the Online Relapse Prevention 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 compare two five-week online eating disorder relapse prevention treatments. Participants in the study will be asked to complete a phone 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) supported study will allow us to improve treatment outcomes, enhance full recovery, and decrease the likelihood of relapse.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I qualify for this study?
You must be at least 18 years old to participate. You must also currently meet criteria for Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), or OSFED-Atypical AN, must be medically stable, and discharged from a higher level of care (inpatient, residential, partial hospital/day program, or intensive outpatient) within the past four months. All inclusion criteria will be evaluated during the first phone assessment (see below).
Where does the study take place?
This telephone, online questionnaire, and mobile-app study can be completed from anywhere in the United States! You can take place in this from anywhere in the United States!
What will the study involve?
You will first complete a phone screening (approximately 60-90 minutes) to determine study eligibility. If you are deemed eligible to continue participating in the main portion of the study, you will complete your first session which includes brief education about the online treatment. You will then complete baseline questionnaires (approximately 60-90 minutes). You will then complete an app-based behavior task that takes about 20-30 minutes. Upon completing the behavioral task, you will complete the online relapse prevention treatment once per week (approximately 45-60 minutes) for 4 weeks. Following the final online session, you will be asked to complete final questionnaires and the app-based behavior task. You will then be asked to complete follow up assessments 1-, 6-, 12-, and 18- 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 & symptoms and a potential decrease in anxiety. Additionally, the 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 and allows for personalization 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 eating disorders.
If you do become distressed, it will likely be for a short period during the course of the screening. You may become distressed during the treatment phase of the study given you will be writing about a highly sensitive topic. However, keep in mind this distress should be temporary and 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 numbers for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, local crises centers, and emergency rooms 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 $200 for your participation, depending on how many mobile-app session and follow up assessments you complete. Additionally, you will received up to $1200 of free treatment!
Who can I contact for more information?
Potential participants can email onlinerelapsepreventionstudy@gmail.com or louisvilleeatlab@gmail.com. Or please use the contact form below to contact us. Please be sure to include that you're interested in the Online Relapse Prevention Study in the comment form.
