In: Trials, 20 (2019), Nr. 509. pp. 1-17. ISSN 1468-6694
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Abstract
Background: E-mental health has become increasingly popular in interventions for individuals with eating disorders (EDs). It has the potential to offer low-threshold interventions and guide individuals to the needed care more promptly. Featback is such an Internet-based intervention and consists of psychoeducation and a fully automated monitoring and feedback system. Preliminary findings suggest Featback to be (cost-)effective in reducing ED symptomatology. Additionally, e-mail or chat support by a psychologist did not enhance the effectiveness of Featback. Support by an expert patient (someone with a lived experience of an ED) might be more effective, since that person can effectively model healthy behavior and enhance self-efficacy in individuals struggling with an ED. The present study aims to replicate and build on earlier findings by further investigating the (cost-)effectiveness of Featback and the added value of expert-patient support.
Methods: The study will be a randomized controlled trial with a two-by-two factorial design with repeated measures. The four conditions will be (1) Featback, in which participants receive automated feedback on a short monitoring questionnaire weekly, (2) Featback with weekly e-mail or chat support from an expert patient, (3) weekly support from an expert patient, and (4) a waiting list. Participants who are 16 years or older and have at least mild self-reported ED symptoms receive a baseline measure. Subsequently, they are randomized to one of the four conditions for 8 weeks. Participants will be assessed again post-intervention and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months follow-up. The primary outcome measure will be ED psychopathology. Secondary outcome measures are experienced social support, self-efficacy, symptoms of anxiety and depression, user satisfaction, intervention usage, and help-seeking attitudes and behaviors.
Discussion: The current study is the first to investigate e-mental health in combination with expert-patient support for EDs and will add to the optimization of the delivery of Internet-based interventions and expert-patient support.
Trial registration: Netherlands Trial Register, NTR7065. Registered on 7 June 2018.
Document type: | Article |
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Journal or Publication Title: | Trials |
Volume: | 20 |
Number: | 509 |
Publisher: | BioMed Central |
Place of Publication: | London |
Date Deposited: | 23 Aug 2019 14:38 |
Date: | 2019 |
ISSN: | 1468-6694 |
Page Range: | pp. 1-17 |
Faculties / Institutes: | Medizinische Fakultät Heidelberg > Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik |
DDC-classification: | 610 Medical sciences Medicine |
Uncontrolled Keywords: | Eating disorders, Internet, Internet-based, E-mental health, Intervention, Treatment, Prevention, Expert patient, Peer support, Cost-effectiveness |