The Acceptability and Effectiveness of Receiving a Low-intensity Self-guided Psychoeducational Intervention for Individuals Waitlisted for Specialized Eating-disorder Treatment

NCT07319936 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2023-715
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 78
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

It is often difficult for people with eating disorders to get timely access to specialized treatment, as waitlists can be long. The present study examines whether or not providing educational materials by email could help individuals with eating disorders while they wait for specialized care. The investigators hypothesize that a low-intensity self-guided intervention will lead to a reduction in eating-disorder attitudes and cognitions, and an increase in motivation to change and body satisfaction. Sixty-two adults (primarily women) are randomly assigned to one of two groups while being on the waitlist for specialized eating-disorder services. One group receives weekly emails for four weeks with psychoeducational materials about eating disorders; the other group does not receive any materials. The content was adapted from a validated eating-disorder workbook developed by the Centre for Clinical Interventions in Australia and translated into French. Each week, as well as one week after the intervention period, all participants complete brief questionnaires assessing eating-disorder thoughts, body satisfaction, and readiness to make changes in eating behaviours. Participants who receive the materials also rate their level of satisfaction with the materials as well as how useful and engaging they find the content.

Conditions

Eating Disorders

Keywords

psycho-education; eating disorders; self-help

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Eating Disorder-15

  10 items that assess eating-disorder symptoms, each rated on a 7-point Likert frequency scale, ranging from 0 (not at all) to 7 (all the time). A higher score means more symptoms.

  Weekly, from enrollment to the end of the study at week 5 (week 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

• Body Satisfaction Scale

  State-related changes in body satisfaction are assessed using the Body Dissatisfaction subscale of the Body Satisfaction Scale (BSS). The subscale asks participants to indicate their level of satisfaction with seven body parts (e.g., chest, tummy, legs, etc.) at the time of questionnaire completion on a 7-point Likert scale (1 = very satisfied to 7 = very unsatisfied). A higher score means more symptoms.

  Weekly, from enrollment until the last time the materials were offered (week 0, 1, 2, 3, 4).

• Readiness Ruler

  The readiness ruler is an 18-item questionnaire, aimed at measuring state-related motivation. The readiness ruler measures readiness to change across nine eating-disorder related attitudes (restriction, weight-shape overevaluation, binge eating, vomiting, laxative use, fasting, diuretic use, weight-gain phobia, and exercise) on a scale from 1 to 10. A higher score means more readiness to make changes.

  Weekly, from enrollment until the last time the materials were offered (week 0, 1, 2, 3, 4).

• Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire

  Questionnaire measuring global eating-disorder severity. The questionnaire is being used to assess severity. The responses on the EDE-Q are also used to corroborate the provisional eating-disorder diagnosis at baseline. The questionnaire asks about symptoms the past 28 days and a higher score means more symptoms. The scores on each item ranges from 0 to 6. 0 = no days; 1 = 1-5 days; 2 = 6-12 days; 3 = 13-15 days; 4 = 16-22 days; 5 = 23-27 days; 6 = 28 days.

  Weekly, from enrollment to the end of the study at week 5

Other Outcomes (1)

• Compliance, satisfaction and engagement with the materials

  After having received 2 and 4 weeks of psychoeducational materials (week 2 and 4).

Study Arms (2)

Experimental condition

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the experimental group receive weekly psychoeducational materials related to eating disorders via email, for 4 weeks, while on the waitlist for treatment.

Behavioral: Psycho-education

No psycho-education

OTHER

Participants in the control group do not receive any psychoeducational materials, while on the waitlist for treatment.

Behavioral: No psycho-education

Interventions

Psycho-education BEHAVIORAL

Receives weekly psychoeducation related to eating disorders via email, while on the waitlist for treatment \[experimental condition\].

Experimental condition

No psycho-education BEHAVIORAL

Does not receive any psychoeducational materials, while on the waitlist for treatment \[control condition\].

No psycho-education

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• \. Between 18-65 years and have a diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa or Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED) as defined by DSM-5 criteria.

You may not qualify if:

• Current substance use disorder
• Comorbid psychotic disorder
• Major physical symptoms that could interfere with the intervention or or requiring urgent care (referred to priority 1 during phone evals)
• Body mass index lower than 15
• Pregnancy
• Insufficient access to the internet (by phone, tablet or computer) to complete the intervention
• Not being able to access 2-3 modules for 4 consecutive weeks.
• Information on presence of current substance use disorder, comorbid psychotic disorder, major physical symptoms, body mass index and pregnancy are based on information from the clinical referal form and information from the initial screening for treatment eligibility in the eating-disorder program.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Douglas Mental Health University Institute: lead

Study Sites (1)

Douglas Mental Health University Instititute

Montreal, Quebec, H4H 1R3, Canada

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Booij L, Barth B, Theriault M, Raykos B, McEvoy P, Steiger H. Effectiveness of a Low-Intensity Self-Guided Psychoeducational Intervention for Individuals Waitlisted for Specialised Eating-Disorder Treatment: A Randomised Controlled Trial. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2026 Mar 3. doi: 10.1002/erv.70093. Online ahead of print.

  PMID: 41776720 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Feeding and Eating Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Linda Booij, Ph.D.

  Douglas Mental Health University Institute

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Psychologist and Head of Research and Academic Development, Eating Disorders Continuum

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 28, 2025
• First Posted: January 6, 2026
• Study Start: May 9, 2023
• Primary Completion: October 4, 2024
• Study Completion: April 3, 2025
• Last Updated: January 6, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)