From Promise to Precision: Future Directions for Smartphone Application Eating Disorder Interventions-Commentary on Cruz et al. (2025).

Abstract

Despite growing interest in smartphone applications (apps) as tools for eating disorder (ED) intervention, significant challenges remain in optimizing their utility and implementation. Cruz et al. conducted a meta-analysis of 14 trials examining smartphone app-based interventions for EDs, finding apps to effectively reduce numerous symptoms. While their findings highlight the promise of app-based interventions for symptom management, realizing their full potential will require a shift toward enhancing their potency, personalization, and flexible delivery. This commentary proposes three critical areas for future research in apps within the context of ED care. First, there is a pressing need to transition from static to adaptive systems that tailor support based on real-time, continuously collected active, passive, and metadata. Second, greater consideration should be given to how apps are best deployed, whether through established or novel models of care. Third, outcome variability points to a need for precision-focused research to better identify who benefits most from app-based interventions, ideally leveraging complex data-driven approaches that model clinical, behavioral, and engagement data. Together, these directions chart a pathway toward more intelligent, responsive, and equitable app-based tools for EDs.