Personalized Interventions and Outcomes: Navigating Eating Disorder Experiences and Recovery (PIONEER) Study (Online)
About the Study
The purpose of this study is to build a new precision treatment for eating disorders and identify how individual treatment mechanisms relate to public health outcomes, individual disease burden, medical comorbidities, and social determinants of health. This study could help us find better treatment for eating disorders, which is why your participation is so important to us!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I qualify for this study?
- Between the ages of 18 and 65
- Current diagnosis of any eating disorder except ARFID
- Medically stable
Where does the study take place?
This virtual study can be completed from anywhere in the United States!
What will the study involve?
All participants will complete mobile app-based surveys for 15 days. A subset of participants will be selected to participate in Phase II, which will involve 12 sessions of either Personalized Treatment for Eating Disorders or Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders over Zoom with a trained clinician. Participants will also complete phone screenings and questionnaires before, during, and after treatment.
What are the benefits of participation?
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. If selected to participate in Phase II, participants will get 12 sessions of free eating disorder treatment, which may decrease eating disorder and anxiety symptoms over the course of the study. Your participation in this study could benefit others by helping us to develop more effective evidence-based treatment for eating disorders.
Are there any risks associated with participating?
During screening, you may be asked about sensitive topics such as eating disorder behaviors, anxiety, and mood. You may experience discomfort during treatment sessions due to them targeting these sensitive topics, but all of our therapists are trained to address client distress. Also, this discomfort may lead to a decrease in your eating disorder symptoms. If you become upset outside of screening or treatment, Dr. Levinson will be on-call to provide resources to you. Also, you can end your participation in this study at any point.
Will I be compensated for this study?
Participants will receive up to $300 for completion of Phase I of this study and up to $320 for the completion of Phase II (if applicable), for a maximum total of $620. Total compensation depends on how many assessments and mobile app sessions you complete. Additionally, participants will receive free eating disorder treatment!
Who can I contact for more information?
Those interested can contact the study principal investigator, Cheri Levinson at [email protected]. Potential participants can also email [email protected] or please use the contact form below to contact us. Please be sure to include that you're interested in the PIONEER Study in the comment form.
