About the Study
The purpose of this study is to use mobile-app and sensor data in order to predict behaviors, relapse, and recovery for individuals with eating disorders. This National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) supported study will allow us to identify individual symptoms that maintain eating disorders, leading to personalized treatments. The knowledge from this study has the potential to lead to novel treatments, as well as sensor-technologies that can alert individuals and clinicians to the onset of eating disorder behaviors, ultimately preventing relapse.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I qualify for this study?
You must be between the ages of 18 and 65 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 not actively suicidal. All inclusion criteria will be evaluated during the first phone assessment (see below). Finally, you will need to have access to a smartphone in order to complete the mobile-app questionnaires during the 30-day mobile app and sensor section of the study in order to be eligible.
Where does the study take place?
This telephone, online questionnaire, mobile-app, and sensor based study can be completed 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 baseline questionnaires (approximately 45-60 minutes). You will then complete surveys on your smartphone four times a day (approximately 3-5 minutes each) for thirty days while wearing a sensor wristband which will be mailed to you. Upon completing the mobile application, you will be asked to complete an end-of-application assessment (approximately 60 minutes). You will then be asked to complete follow up assessments 1 month and 6 month after completing the main portion of the study.
What are the benefits of participation?
The potential direct benefits are 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.
Furthermore, the information provided in this study may lead directly to novel treatments and preventions delivered via mobile and sensor technology, ultimately preventing relapse and promoting full recovery. This study has the potential to decrease the mortality, societal cost, individual and family burden, and significant health, social, and physical impairments present in the eating disorders.
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. All members of the research team who conduct screenings are clinical psychology doctoral students, masters students, or advanced research assistants who are highly trained in how to address participant distress, including providing referral information and treatment resources.
In the unlikely event that you become upset beyond the scope of the screening, 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 $150 for participation, depending on how many mobile-phone application questions and follow- up assessments you complete.
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 call our Study Coordinator at (502) 208-9212. Or please use the contact form below to contact us. Please be sure to include that you're interested in the Predicting Recovery Study in the comment form.
The purpose of this study is to use mobile-app and sensor data in order to predict behaviors, relapse, and recovery for individuals with eating disorders. This National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) supported study will allow us to identify individual symptoms that maintain eating disorders, leading to personalized treatments. The knowledge from this study has the potential to lead to novel treatments, as well as sensor-technologies that can alert individuals and clinicians to the onset of eating disorder behaviors, ultimately preventing relapse.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I qualify for this study?
You must be between the ages of 18 and 65 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 not actively suicidal. All inclusion criteria will be evaluated during the first phone assessment (see below). Finally, you will need to have access to a smartphone in order to complete the mobile-app questionnaires during the 30-day mobile app and sensor section of the study in order to be eligible.
Where does the study take place?
This telephone, online questionnaire, mobile-app, and sensor based study can be completed 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 baseline questionnaires (approximately 45-60 minutes). You will then complete surveys on your smartphone four times a day (approximately 3-5 minutes each) for thirty days while wearing a sensor wristband which will be mailed to you. Upon completing the mobile application, you will be asked to complete an end-of-application assessment (approximately 60 minutes). You will then be asked to complete follow up assessments 1 month and 6 month after completing the main portion of the study.
What are the benefits of participation?
The potential direct benefits are 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.
Furthermore, the information provided in this study may lead directly to novel treatments and preventions delivered via mobile and sensor technology, ultimately preventing relapse and promoting full recovery. This study has the potential to decrease the mortality, societal cost, individual and family burden, and significant health, social, and physical impairments present in the eating disorders.
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. All members of the research team who conduct screenings are clinical psychology doctoral students, masters students, or advanced research assistants who are highly trained in how to address participant distress, including providing referral information and treatment resources.
In the unlikely event that you become upset beyond the scope of the screening, 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 $150 for participation, depending on how many mobile-phone application questions and follow- up assessments you complete.
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 call our Study Coordinator at (502) 208-9212. Or please use the contact form below to contact us. Please be sure to include that you're interested in the Predicting Recovery Study in the comment form.
