Piloting single session interventions in a sample of weight concerned youth: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Eating disorders are highly prevalent and often present during adolescence and emerging adulthood. Effective early intervention as problems emerge, such as dieting and elevated weight concern, can prevent long-term chronicity. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of single session interventions (SSIs) for early intervention, delivered via a smartphone app and with consumer consultation, that are focused on transdiagnostic psychological processes implicated in the development and maintenance of eating disorders. App content is informed by previous work in defining transdiagnostic psychological processes and a subsequent Delphi study that presented the list of processes to relevant stakeholders to achieve consensus on those processes most important for early intervention. The first phase of this project will include engagement with young people and members of our Expert Advisory Group (people with lived experience, significant others, and clinicians and researchers specialising in eating disorders) to inform nine SSIs, presented on a smartphone app. The second phase will entail a pilot randomised controlled trial of the nine SSIs and a waitlist control condition to evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of the SSIs for the early intervention of eating disorders for young people aged 14–25 years old with elevated weight concern. The primary outcomes are acceptability and feasibility, and global eating disorder psychopathology. Secondary outcomes include mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, self-harm) and SSI-specific outcomes (for example, perfectionism). Assessment will occur at baseline, post-treatment, and at a one-month follow-up. Analyses will use linear mixed modelling and reflexive thematic analysis for qualitative feedback items.