Clinical Research Directory

Sleep Optimization to Aid in Recovery Digital Program

The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the usability and feasibility of SOAR (Sleep Optimization to Aid Recovery), a brief and self-guided digital program designed to share evidence-based sleep hygiene information with individuals seeking treatment for an eating disorder. The SOAR program delivers well-established recommendations promoted by the National Sleep Foundation and other professional sleep health organizations. The purpose of this study is not to test a new treatment or intervention per se, but rather to examine how effectively this existing information can be delivered through a digital platform to people preparing for or engaged in eating disorder treatment. By providing these evidence-based strategies in a user-friendly and accessible format, SOAR aims to support healthy sleep habits that may enhance overall well-being and facilitate recovery. The investigators will compare SOAR against a control condition, which would be no intervention (treatment-as-usual). Participants randomized to the control will receive access to SOAR after the follow-up period has ended, if they wish to use it.

Can a Single-session Intervention Decrease Risk for Mental Health Symptoms in Young Adults? A Preliminary Investigation of Feasibility and Acceptability

This project has two primary aims: 1) to develop a single session intervention to understand different forms of self-evaluation with input from young adults, and 2) to examine whether a single session can improve the ways in which young adults measure their self-importance with a session led by a trained masters-level therapist. Eligible participants will complete a baseline questionnaire, a therapeutic session online, and follow-up questionnaires.

Efficacy of Juniver, a Digital Self-help Intervention, on Symptoms of Eating Disorders: A Randomised Controlled Trial

This project aims to assess the efficacy of the Juniver program on symptoms of eating disorders via a randomised controlled trial. The Juniver program is a self-help intervention for eating disorders delivered digitally, through an iPhone app. It features three components: an evidence-based curriculum, interactive tools, and moderated peer support groups. These three components integrate the evidence for (a) Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for eating disorders; (b) Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention; and (c) peer mentorship as an adjunct intervention for the treatment of eating disorders. The program was developed by the Juniver team made up of people with lived experience with eating disorders and professional experience in digital health, a panel of neuroscientists and experts specialising in eating disorders, and direct research with 500 participants. This trial aims to investigate the impact of the Juniver program on self-reported eating disorder symptoms, as well as on symptoms of depression, anxiety, psychosocial impairment associated with eating disorders, and perceived stress. This will occur via a randomised controlled trial comparing Juniver to a wait-list control condition over a 12-week period, with further evaluation of the effects of Juniver up to 24-weeks.

Disordered Eating Risk in Pediatric Obesity Treatment Using a Digi-Physical Tool

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the risk of developing disordered eating behavior or an eating disorder among children and adolescents with obesity who have used a digi-physical treatment tool with daily measurements conducted at home. The primary outcomes are to: * Evaluate the proportion of patients exhibiting documented signs of disordered eating behaviors during or after treatment (e.g., caloric restriction, skipping meals, binge eating). * Evaluate the proportion of patients diagnosed with an eating disorder (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder) during or after treatment. Patients at Martina Childrens Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, who have been treated with the digi-physical treatment tool will be included and their patient records will be reviewed for eating disorder diagnosis or a disturbed eating behavior.

ARIADNE: A Study of Weight Loss for Diabetes Treatment and Wellbeing

The NHS has started a trial-run of a weight loss programme replacing food with 800-calorie shakes and soups for 3 months, offered to people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D) to lose weight and put their diabetes into remission. Some healthcare professionals and charities are sceptical about the programme's effect on people's mental health. They fear it may trigger people to have a negative relationship with food (disordered eating). Some studies show indirectly that these programmes are somewhat safe; however it is not known for sure if it could affect people's relationship with food for the worse. Investigators will invite 56 people with T2D and disordered eating (picked up by questionnaires they will fill in) to participate in a trial. Of these participants, 28 will get TDR and the rest will get their standard care. Investigators will then measure how their scores of disordered eating change at 1, 3, 4, 6, 12 and 24 months. Investigators also plan to analyse the recorded sessions to better understand participants' experiences using TDR and their thoughts about eating and body image. This study will help shed light on how safe this type of diet is for people with disordered eating. It may lead to screening for eating disorders if TDR becomes standard care. If concerns are unfounded, it can reassure people with type 2 diabetes and healthcare professionals.

Evaluation of an Expectancy Challenge Intervention for Food and Alcohol Disturbance Among College Students

This study aims to create and test an intervention that helps college students re-evaluate their beliefs about food and alcohol disturbance (FAD) and, in turn, reduce how often they engage in it or intend to in the future. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does the intervention help students have less positive beliefs about the effects of FAD and more negative beliefs about its effects? 2. If college students' beliefs about FAD change, does that lead them to engage in it less often or plan to do it less? 3. Will college students who engage in FAD sign up for the study, complete it, and feel that the intervention is helpful and valuable? Participants will take part in one 2-hour in-person laboratory-based study session where they will fill out surveys, learn about FAD, and engage in exercises designed to challenge their existing beliefs about it. They will also complete a follow-up survey online one month after their in-person study visit.

The Weight of Victory: Exploring Short- and Long-term Health Outcomes in Former Male & Female Elite Athletes from Weight-sensitive Sports

The health of former elite athletes has been identified as a critical research gap where there is limited knowledge about both short- and long-term consequences after ending their careers. The transition phase from an active elite career to everyday life has been shown to be particularly problematic, yet this issue has been little studied among former Norwegian elite athletes. Furthermore, questions remain regarding the health of athletes from weight-sensitive sports, such as weight-class, aesthetic, and certain endurance sports. These athletes face specific challenges related to maintaining a certain physique and frequent changes in body weight during their active careers. This group has been shown to be vulnerable to a range of problematic health outcomes related to low energy availability, and little is known about the long-term effects of a career involving this. Therefore, the overall purpose of the project is to map the mental and physical health of former elite athletes. At the same time, there will be a particular focus on the differences between weight-sensitive and less weight-sensitive sports, different types of sports, gender, as well as previous dieting and eating behaviors.

Enhancing Social Connections Among Rural Community Members With Disordered Eating

This study is about testing a short program that uses social support to help people with disordered eating. The goal is to see if this program can help people build better habits and feel better about eating while reducing harmful symptoms. In the long run, this project wants to make it easier for people with eating problems to get help and recover, especially for those in rural areas or other groups who don't often get the care they need. Participants will complete self-report measures online, and complete a digital single-session program.

Self-Guided Personalized Treatment for Women

The investigators plan to collect preliminary data on the feasibility, acceptability, and user uptake of a personalized self-guided mobile intervention for disordered eating (DE) and test the initial clinical efficacy of this intervention. Women (N=50) who endorse significant DE will complete two weeks of smart-phone self-monitoring to identify target problems and will be sent two self-guided modules of personalized treatment directly to their smart-phones. The investigators will assess engagement with the modules throughout two months and administer baseline, week 5, and week 8 assessments for acceptability, uptake, and initial clinical efficacy (e.g., DE symptoms, anxiety, quality of life). The investigators will also complete a focus group (n=10) with a subset of users to receive input on the mobile-application assessment and ease of self-guided intervention modules.