Impact of a Mobile App-Based Waitlist Intervention on Readiness for Eating Disorder Treatment

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Eating Disorders

In brief

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate whether a mobile app-based motivational interviewing intervention (MI-Coach: ED) can improve motivation and readiness for treatment in adults with eating disorders who are currently on waitlists for provincially funded eating disorder services in British Columbia. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the use of MI-Coach: ED improve overall motivation, confidence, and readiness for treatment compared to treatment-as-usual (waitlist with no intervention)? * Does the app help mitigate declines in motivation over time among waitlisted individuals? Researchers will compare participants using the MI-Coach: ED app to a delayed treatment control group to assess differences in motivation, readiness for treatment, and associated clinical outcomes. Participants will: * Treatment group: Use the MI-Coach: ED app for four weeks, completing interactive modules focused on motivation and readiness for change, while also completing weekly brief assessments of motivation. * Delayed treatment group: Remain on the waitlist with no intervention for four weeks while completing weekly brief assessments of motivation. After this period, they will receive access to the MI-Coach: ED app and be integrated into the treatment group. * Complete pre-test and post-test questionnaires at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks assessing motivation, eating pathology, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. This study aims to inform evidence-based practices for reducing the adverse effects of long waitlist durations on individuals with eating disorders.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06801197

Run by

University of British Columbia

People needed

74

Starts

2025-10-21

Expected to finish

2027-09-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-08

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Must self-identify as a woman, including cisgender or transgender individuals.
• Must be at least 18 years old at the time of enrollment.
• Currently on a waitlist to receive treatment for an eating disorder at provincially funded eating disorder programs in British Columbia.
• Meets criteria for a threshold or subthreshold eating disorder, including anorexia nervosa (restricting or binge/purge subtype), bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED).
• Able to read and understand English fluently.
• Owns or has regular access to a smartphone or mobile device capable of running the MI-Coach: ED app.

You may not qualify if…

• Does not identify as a woman, regardless of sex assigned at birth.
• Currently receiving active treatment for an eating disorder, such as outpatient therapy, inpatient care, or day programs.
• Diagnosed with a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder or other psychotic disorder.
• Presence of a cognitive impairment or sensory deficit (e.g., severe visual or hearing impairment) that would interfere with the ability to use the app or complete study assessments.
• History of a recent traumatic brain injury or neurological condition that might impact participation.
• Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigators, would interfere with the participant's ability to comply with the study protocol or complete the intervention.

Where it is running

• Interior Health, Eating Disorders Program — Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada (enrolling)
• Fraser Health Eating Disorders Program — Surrey, British Columbia, Canada (enrolling)
• Vancouver Coastal Health, Eating Disorders Program — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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