Developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chatbot for Adolescents and Young Adults With Eating Disorders

NCT07237607 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 26987
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to develop and refine an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Exposure Therapy for Eating Disorders chatbot web-app that effectively engages adolescents and young adults and decreases anxiety about weight gain. Participants will use the web-app as a supplemental therapeutic tool during their first six weeks of treatment in a Partial Hospitalization Program. Participants will complete assessments every two weeks, including: (1) semi-structured interviews about their experience with the chatbot web-app; (2) implementation outcome measures (e.g., feasibility, usability, acceptability); and (3) anxiety about weight gain.

Conditions

Eating Disorders; Anorexia Nervosa; Bulimia Nervosa; Binge-Eating Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Number of times participants use web-app.

  The investigators will measure the number of times participants use the web-app

  End of Week 2, End of Week 4, End-of-Treatment (Week 6)

• Number of minutes participants engage with the web-app.

  The investigators will measure the number of minutes participants engage with the web-app

  End of Week 2, End of Week 4, End-of-Treatment (Week 6)

• Percent of eligible Adolescents and Young Adults Consented

  The investigators will measure the percent of eligible adolescents and young adults who consent to the study.

  Through study completion, an average of 1 year

• System Usability Scale Survey (SUS)

  The System Usability Scale Survey (SUS) is a 10-item self-report questionnaire that examines the participant's attitude towards the web-app. Scores range from 10-50, with higher scores indicating a better overall experience with the app.

  End of Week 2, End of Week 4, End-of-Treatment (Week 6)

• Weight Gain Anxiety Questionnaire

  The Weight Gain Anxiety Questionnaire is a 12-item self-report questionnaire that targets anxiety about weight gain. The scores are measured on a 0-100 scale, with the higher the score indicating more distress about weight gain, with the exception for question 12 which is reverse scored.

  Baseline, End of Week 2, End of Week 4, End-of-Treatment (Week 6)

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Clinical Impairment Assessment (CIA)

  Baseline, End-of-Treatment (Week 6)

• Eating Disorder Examination - Self-Report Questionnaire (EDE-Q)

  Baseline, End-of-Treatment (Week 6)

• Eating Disorder Fear Questionnaire (EDFQ)

  Baseline, End-of-Treatment (Week 6)

• Fear of Food Measure (FOFM)

  Baseline, End-of-Treatment (Week 6)

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)

  Baseline, End-of-Treatment (Week 6)

Other Outcomes (1)

• Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS)

  Baseline

Study Arms (1)

"Exp-ED" Digital Exposure-Therapy Chatbot app

EXPERIMENTAL

Exp-ED will target anxiety about weight gain through an exposure based treatment.

Behavioral: "Exp-ED" Digital Exposure-Therapy Chatbot app

Interventions

"Exp-ED" Digital Exposure-Therapy Chatbot app BEHAVIORAL

Exp-ED is a text-based digital health application designed for smartphones and personal computers. It provides exposure-based content to adolescents and young adults with eating disorders. The chatbot guides users through exposure exercises (structured steps to reduce anxiety over time), records subjective distress ratings (self-reported anxiety scores), and offers evidence-based coping prompts. These sessions are intended to supplement clinical care during a six-week partial hospitalization program.

"Exp-ED" Digital Exposure-Therapy Chatbot app

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 12 Years - 26 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age is between or equal to 12-26 years
• Admitted to the Penn State Health Eating Disorder Partial Hospital Program (PHP) or Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
• Have a personal smartphone
• Have a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge-eating disorder (BED), or other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED)
• Be English speaking

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosis of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
• Have acute suicidality
• Diagnosis of an intellectual disability

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: lead

Study Sites (1)

Penn State College of Medicine

Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Feeding and Eating Disorders; Anorexia Nervosa; Bulimia Nervosa; Binge-Eating Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Jamal H Essayli, PhD

CONTACT

(717) 531-0003; jessayli@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 14, 2025
• First Posted: November 20, 2025
• Study Start: March 23, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2027
• Last Updated: April 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

US (1)