Clinical Research Directory

An App to Reduce Social Media's Impact on Body Image and Eating Disorders

Social media (SM) is a key communication tool, particularly for young women aged 15-29. While SM fosters social connections, it is also linked to negative effects on mental health, including poor body image, low self-esteem, and maladaptive perfectionism. These issues arise due to social comparison with idealized images, especially on platforms like Instagram, which can contribute to disordered eating behaviours. Research suggests that reducing SM use can improve mental well-being, body image, and eating disorder symptoms. However, current interventions have not simultaneously addressed both reducing SM exposure and strengthening protective psychological factors. To address this gap, the proposed study aims to pilot BodyScreen, an intervention app designed to limit SM exposure while enhancing self-esteem and reducing perfectionism in young women at high risk for eating disorders. The study hypothesizes that BodyScreen will be feasible, acceptable, and effective in improving body image, self-esteem, and SM use, with sustained benefits at a 3-month follow-up. The intervention includes a virtual face-to-face session, mid-intervention email support, and a four-week app-based program using Ecological Momentary Interventions (EMIs). Participants will receive reminders to complete exercises designed to improve self-perception and reduce the negative effects of SM. Additionally, Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) will track real-time self-esteem, perfectionism, and body image, while mobile sensing will monitor SM use to tailor interactive exercises accordingly. By integrating exposure reduction with psychological strengthening, BodyScreen aims to provide a novel, evidence-based approach to mitigating the harmful effects of SM on young women's mental health.

Effectiveness of Group EFT for Transdiagnostic Eating Disorders/Difficulties Within Student Counselling Services.

What is the purpose of the study? Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals identify, explore, and transform difficult emotions to improve emotional wellbeing and resolve psychological issues. While there is a growing body of evidence for the effectiveness of both individual and group EFT with a range of difficulties, including eating disorders, this has not yet been sufficiently explored within university counselling services. The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a group EFT intervention for students experiencing eating disorders or concerns related to eating, weight, and shape. The study aims to determine whether this type of therapy can be effectively delivered within a university counselling service, and if it could potentially improve participants' mental health and wellbeing.

Identifying Effective Technological-based Augmentations to Enhance Outcomes From Self-help Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Binge Eating

The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of two technology-based intervention systems (including an Advanced Digital Data Sharing (ADDS) with Coaches or a smartphone-based just-in-time, adaptive interventions (JITAIs) system) for improving treatment adherence, skills utilization and binge eating when used in conjunction with a self-help cognitive behavior therapy \[CBT\] delivered via a smartphone application \[app\]). The study is being conducted to test a novel approach to providing evidence-based treatment for binge eating without clinician support in a routine clinical setting.