eBEfree - an ICT Adaptation of BEfree

NCT04101032 | Unknown

• 2 other identifiers: eBEfreePOCI-01-0145-FEDER-029081
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

The eBEfree project aims at testing the effectiveness of an information and communication technology-based delivery version of BEfree in individuals with obesity and Binge Eating Disorder (BED). BED is a serious public health concern, given its prevalence, psychiatric comorbidity and association with obesity, which is currently a major health and economic challenge of epidemic proportions. BED affects obesity onset, maintenance and treatment. BEfree is a 12-session face-to-face group intervention for BED, developed by the current project research team, that integrates mindfulness, compassion, and values. BEfree was found to be effective in treating BED and in improving psychological adjustment. ICT-based interventions are a cost-effective form of treatment delivery that may increase treatment accessibility for individuals with BED and obesity. This project will directly contribute to the treatment of these conditions and improvement of health services at regional and national levels.

Conditions

Binge-Eating Disorder

Keywords

Mindfulness; Self-compassion; Values; Binge Eating

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Reductions in BE symptoms and other disordered eating and body image symptoms

  Assessed by EDE interview

  9 months (from baseline to 6 months follow-up)

• Reductions in BE symptoms and other disordered eating and body image symptoms

  Assessed by Binge Eating Scale

  9 months (from baseline to 6 months follow-up)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Weight loss

  9 months (from baseline to 6 months follow-up)

• Reductions in depressive symptoms

  9 months (from baseline to 6 months follow-up)

• Increasing well-being

  9 months (from baseline to 6 months follow-up)

Other Outcomes (7)

• Increase in self-compassion

  9 months (from baseline to 6 months follow-up)

• Increase in mindfulness

  9 months (from baseline to 6 months follow-up)

• Increase in engagement with valued living

  9 months (from baseline to 6 months follow-up)

Study Arms (2)

eBEfree

EXPERIMENTAL

eBEfree is a ICT-delivery version of BEfree - eBEfree that comprises 12 online sessions, based on mindfulness,values and compassion components for women with Binge Eating.

Behavioral: eBEfree

Waiting List

NO INTERVENTION

Participants will remain in a waiting list. After 12 weeks, they will be offered the same intervention.

Interventions

eBEfree BEHAVIORAL

Contextual interventions based on promoting acceptance,mindfulness and self-compassion abilities

eBEfree

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 55 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• overweight and obesity (IMC ≥ 25 using a Body Mass Analyzer TANITA-SC-330);
• BED (confirmed through the Eating Disorder Examination 17.0D;
• Access to smartphone and willingness to use it regularly (at least once a week).

You may not qualify if:

• undergoing any other form of psychological intervention for BED or having attended the face-to-face BEfree;
• severe psychiatric problem (e.g., major depression; psychotic illness; bipolar disorder, assessed through a semi-structured interview using DSM-5 criteria).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Coimbra: lead

Related Publications (3)

• Pinto-Gouveia J, Carvalho SA, Palmeira L, Castilho P, Duarte C, Ferreira C, Duarte J, Cunha M, Matos M, Costa J. Incorporating psychoeducation, mindfulness and self-compassion in a new programme for binge eating (BEfree): Exploring processes of change. J Health Psychol. 2019 Mar;24(4):466-479. doi: 10.1177/1359105316676628. Epub 2016 Nov 15.

  PMID: 27852886 BACKGROUND

• Pinto-Gouveia J, Carvalho SA, Palmeira L, Castilho P, Duarte C, Ferreira C, Duarte J, Cunha M, Matos M, Costa J. BEfree: A new psychological program for binge eating that integrates psychoeducation, mindfulness, and compassion. Clin Psychol Psychother. 2017 Sep;24(5):1090-1098. doi: 10.1002/cpp.2072. Epub 2017 Jan 25.

  PMID: 28124451 BACKGROUND

• Senra H, Duarte C, Carvalho SA, Simoes L, Ferreira C, Palmeira L, Matos M, Cunha M, Castilho P, Sousa B, Cordeiro L, Pinto-Gouveia J. eBEfree: Combining Psychoeducation, Mindfulness, and Self-Compassion in an App-Based Psychological Intervention to Manage Binge-Eating Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Eat Disord. 2025 Jul;58(7):1199-1218. doi: 10.1002/eat.24432. Epub 2025 Mar 29.

  PMID: 40156378 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Binge-Eating Disorder; Bulimia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Feeding and Eating Disorders; Mental Disorders; Hyperphagia; Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• José Augusto Pinto Gouveia, PhD

  University of Coimbra

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

José Augusto Pinto Gouveia, PhD

CONTACT

00351239851450; jpgouveia@fpce.uc.pt

Cristiana Duarte, PhD

CONTACT

00351239851450; C.Duarte@leeds.ac.uk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 26, 2019
• First Posted: September 24, 2019
• Study Start: October 14, 2019
• Primary Completion: December 30, 2019
• Study Completion: July 1, 2021
• Last Updated: September 24, 2019

Record last verified: 2019-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share