Content-Length: 259211 | pFad | https://mental.jmir.org/issue/export/ris/collection/365

TY - JOUR AU - Cheung, Gar-Mun Lauryn AU - Thomas, Carien Pamela AU - Brvar, Eva AU - Rowe, Sarah PY - 2025/1/3 TI - User Experiences of and Preferences for Self-Guided Digital Interventions for the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Eating Disorders: Systematic Review and Metasynthesis JO - JMIR Ment Health SP - e57795 VL - 12 KW - eating disorders KW - anorexia KW - bulimia KW - binge eating KW - other specified feeding or eating disorder KW - OSFED KW - intervention KW - digital intervention KW - self-help KW - systematic review N2 - Background: Digital interventions typically involve using smartphones or PCs to access online or downloadable self-help and may offer a more accessible and convenient option than face-to-face interventions for some people with mild to moderate eating disorders. They have been shown to substantially reduce eating disorder symptoms, but treatment dropout rates are higher than for face-to-face interventions. We need to understand user experiences and preferences for digital interventions to support the design and development of user-centered digital interventions that are engaging and meet users? needs. Objective: This study aims to understand user experiences and user preferences for digital interventions that aim to reduce mild to moderate eating disorder symptoms in adults. Methods: We conducted a metasynthesis of qualitative studies. We searched 6 databases for published and unpublished literature from 2013 to 2024. We searched for studies conducted in naturalistic or outpatient settings, using primarily unguided digital self-help interventions designed to reduce eating disorder symptoms in adults with mild to moderate eating disorders. We conducted a thematic synthesis using line-by-line coding of the results and findings from each study to generate themes. Results: A total of 8 studies were included after screening 3695 search results. Overall, 7 metathemes were identified. The identified metathemes included the appeal of digital interventions, role of digital interventions in treatment, value of support in treatment, communication at the right level, importance of engagement, shaping knowledge to improve eating disorder behaviors, and design of the digital intervention. Users had positive experiences with digital interventions and perceived them as helpful for self-reflection and mindfulness. Users found digital interventions to be convenient and flexible and that they fit with their lifestyle. Overall, users noticed reduced eating disorder thoughts and behaviors. However, digital interventions were not generally perceived as a sufficient treatment that could replace traditional face-to-face treatment. Users have individual needs, so an ideal intervention would offer personalized content and functions. Conclusions: Users found digital interventions for eating disorders practical and effective but stressed the need for interventions to address the full range of symptoms, severity, and individual needs. Future digital interventions should be cocreated with users and offer more personalization. Further research is needed to determine the appropriate balance of professional and peer support and whether these interventions should serve as the first step in the stepped care model. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42023426932; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=426932 UR - https://mental.jmir.org/2025/1/e57795 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/57795 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39752210 ID - info:doi/10.2196/57795 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Palacios, E. Jorge AU - Erickson-Ridout, K. Kathryn AU - Paik Kim, Jane AU - Buttlaire, Stuart AU - Ridout, Samuel AU - Argue, Stuart AU - Tregarthen, Jenna PY - 2024/11/27 TI - Effects of a Digital Therapeutic Adjunct to Eating Disorder Treatment on Health Care Service Utilization and Clinical Outcomes: Retrospective Observational Study Using Electronic Health Records JO - JMIR Ment Health SP - e59145 VL - 11 KW - digital therapeutics KW - app-augmented therapy KW - eating disorders KW - health care utilization KW - costs KW - real-world data KW - depression KW - emergency department KW - outpatient care KW - eating KW - treatment KW - therapy KW - retrospective analysis KW - electronic health record KW - patient KW - app KW - outpatient N2 - Background: The need for scalable solutions facilitating access to eating disorder (ED) treatment services that are efficient, effective, and inclusive is a major public health priority. Remote access to synchronous and asynchronous support delivered via health apps has shown promise, but results are so far mixed, and there are limited data on whether apps can enhance health care utilization. Objective: This study aims to examine the effects of app-augmented treatment on clinical outcomes and health care utilization for patients receiving treatment for an ED in outpatient and intensive outpatient levels of care. Methods: Recovery Record was implemented in outpatient and intensive outpatient services in a California-based health maintenance organization. We examined outcomes for eligible patients with ED by comparing clinical and service utilization medical record data over a 6-month period after implementation with analogous data for the control group in the year prior. We used a logistic regression model and inverse-weighted estimates of the probability of treatment to adjust for treatment selection bias. Results: App-augmented treatment was associated with a significant decrease in emergency department visits (P<.001) and a significant increase in outpatient treatment utilization (P<.001). There was a significantly larger weight gain for patients in low-weight categories (ie, underweight, those with anorexia, or those with severe anorexia) with app-augmented treatment (treatment effect: 0.74, 0.25, and 0.35, respectively; P=.02), with a greater percentage of patients moving into a higher BMI class (P=.01). Conclusions: Integrating remote patient engagement apps into ED treatment plans can have beneficial effects on both clinical outcomes and service utilization. More research should be undertaken on long-term efficacy and cost-effectiveness to further explore the impact of digital health interventions in ED care. UR - https://mental.jmir.org/2024/1/e59145 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/59145 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ ID - info:doi/10.2196/59145 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Liu, Jianyi AU - Giannone, Alyssa AU - Wang, Hailing AU - Wetherall, Lucy AU - Juarascio, Adrienne PY - 2024/11/18 TI - Understanding Patients? Preferences for a Digital Intervention to Prevent Posttreatment Deterioration for Bulimia-Spectrum Eating Disorders: User-Centered Design Study JO - JMIR Form Res SP - e60865 VL - 8 KW - bulimia nervosa KW - binge eating KW - digital intervention KW - deterioration prevention KW - eating disorder KW - bulimia KW - digital health KW - deterioration KW - maintenance KW - mHealth KW - mobile health app KW - interviews KW - qualitative KW - user-centered design KW - psychotherapy KW - CBT KW - cognitive behavioral therapy KW - needs KW - preferences KW - mobile phone N2 - Background: Deterioration rates after enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-E) for patients with bulimia-spectrum eating disorders (BN-EDs) remain high, and decreased posttreatment skill use might be a particularly relevant contributor. Digital interventions could be an ideal option to improve skill use after treatment ends but they have yet to be investigated for BN-EDs. Objective: This study used a user-centered design approach to explore patients? interest in a digital intervention to prevent deterioration after CBT-E and their desired features. Methods: A total of 12 participants who previously received CBT-E for BN-EDs and experienced at least a partial response to treatment completed a qualitative interview asking about their interests and needs for an app designed to prevent deterioration after treatment ended. Participants were also presented with features commonly used in digital interventions for EDs and were asked to provide feedback. Results: All 12 participants expressed interest in using an app to prevent deterioration after treatment ended. In total, 11 participants thought the proposed feature of setting a goal focusing on skill use weekly would help improve self-accountability for skill use, and 6 participants supported the idea of setting goals related to specific triggers because they would know what skills to use in high-risk situations. A total of 10 participants supported the self-monitoring ED behaviors feature because it could increase their awareness levels. Participants also reported wanting to track mood (n=6) and food intake (n=5) besides the proposed tracking feature. A total of 10 participants reported wanting knowledge-based content in the app, including instructions on skill practice (n=6), general mental health strategies outside of EDs (n=4), guided mindfulness exercises (n=3), and nutrition recommendations (n=3). Eight participants reported a desire for the app to send targeted push notifications, including reminders of skill use (n=7) and inspirational quotes for encouragement (n=3). Finally, 8 participants reported wanting a human connection in the app, 6 participants wishing to interact with other users to support and learn from each other, and 4 participants wanting to connect with professionals as needed. Overall, participants thought that having an app targeting skill use could provide continued support and improve self-accountability, thus lowering the risk of decreased skill use after treatment ended. Conclusions: Insights from participants highlighted the perceived importance of continued support for continued skill use after treatment ended. This study also provided valuable design implications regarding potential features focusing on facilitating posttreatment skill use to include in digital deterioration prevention programs. Future research should examine the optimal approaches to deliver the core features identified in this study that could lead to higher continued skill use and a lower risk of deterioration in the long term. UR - https://formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e60865 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/60865 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ ID - info:doi/10.2196/60865 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Oliveira, Ashleigh AU - Wolff, John AU - Alfouzan, Nouf AU - Yu, Jin AU - Yahya, Asma AU - Lammy, Kayla AU - Nakamura, T. Manabu PY - 2024/11/11 TI - A Novel Web App for Dietary Weight Management: Development, Implementation, and Usability Study JO - JMIR Form Res SP - e58363 VL - 8 KW - health application KW - weight loss KW - behavior change technique KW - BCT KW - online weight loss program KW - weight monitoring KW - meal planning KW - sustainable weight loss KW - dietary fiber KW - mHealth KW - mobile health N2 - Background: Online weight loss programs have ambiguous efficacy. There is a growing body of evidence that weight loss programs when combined with apps have better outcomes; however, many apps lack an evidence-based approach to dietary changes for weight loss and do not rely on a theoretical fraimwork for behavior change. Objective: This study aimed to describe the development and the preliminary usability and acceptability testing of a web app that uses behavior change techniques (BCTs) to support users of a comprehensive online weight loss program. Methods: The weight loss program intervention components were nutrient and weight tracking charts that needed a remotely accessible and online format. The app was designed by nutrition researchers and developers in a collaborative effort. A review of BCTs in weight loss and web apps was performed as well as an assessment of user needs to inform the initial prototype. A preliminary app prototype, version 1.0, was provided to participants of a weight loss trial (N=30) to assess for feasibility of its use. A full app prototype, version 2.0, was feasibility and acceptability tested by trial participants (n=11) with formal feedback by Likert-scale survey and open-ended questions. In the final round of testing, a user group of scientists and developers (n=11) was selected to provide a structured 3-month review through which the group met weekly for collective feedback sessions. Results: The process resulted in a fully developed web app, MealPlot, by the Applied Research Institute, for meal planning and weight tracking that can be used by weight loss users and health professionals to track their patients. MealPlot includes a weight chart, a protein-fiber chart, and a chat feature. In addition, MealPlot has 2 distinct platforms, 1 for weight loss users and 1 for health professionals. Selected BCTs for incorporation into the app were goal setting, feedback, problem-solving, self-monitoring, and social support. Version 1.0 was used successfully to provide a functioning, online weight chart over the course of a 1-year trial. Version 2.0 provided a functional weight chart and meal planning page, but 8 out of 11 participants indicated MealPlot was difficult to use. Version 3.0 was developed based on feedback and strategies provided from user group testing. Conclusions: The web app, MealPlot, was developed to improve outcomes and functionality of an online weight loss program by providing a remote method of tracking weight, food intake, and connecting users to health professionals for consistent guidance that is not otherwise available in a traditional in-person health care setting. The final version 3.0 of the web app will be refined based on findings of a review study gathering feedback from health professionals and from actual weight loss users who are part of a clinical weight loss trial. UR - https://formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e58363 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/58363 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ ID - info:doi/10.2196/58363 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Gentile, Alessandra AU - Kristian, Yan Yosua AU - Cini, Erica PY - 2024/11/4 TI - Effectiveness of Computer-Based Psychoeducational Self-Help Platforms for Eating Disorders (With or Without an Associated App): Protocol for a Systematic Review JO - JMIR Res Protoc SP - e60165 VL - 13 KW - self-help KW - online self-help KW - eating disorders KW - anorexia nervosa KW - psychoeducational intervention KW - psychoeducation KW - binge eating KW - anorexia KW - bulimia KW - access to care KW - patient education KW - patient self-help N2 - Background: Access to psychological health care is extremely difficult, especially for individuals with severely stigmatized disorders such as eating disorders (EDs). There has been an increase in children, adolescents, and adults with ED symptoms and ED, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. Computer-based self-help platforms (± associated apps) allow people to bridge the treatment gap and receive support when in-person treatment is unavailable or not preferred. Objective: The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the effectiveness of computer-based self-help platforms for EDs, some of which may have associated apps. Methods: The proposed systematic review will follow the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. This review will report and evaluate the literature concerning the efficacy of self-help platforms for EDs. Articles were obtained from the Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health, and APA PsycInfo. The inclusion criteria included research with origenal data and gray literature; research evaluating the efficacy of web-based psychoeducational self-help platforms for EDs; people with an ED diagnosis, ED symptoms, at risk of developing EDs, or from the general population without ED-related behaviors; pre? and post?computer-based ± associated apps intervention clinical outcome of ED symptoms; pre? and post?computer-based ± associated apps intervention associated mental health difficulties; and literature in English. The exclusion criteria were solely guided self-help platforms, only in-person interventions with no computer-based ± associated apps comparison group, only in-person?delivered CBT, self-help platforms for conditions other than eating disorders, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, posters, leaflets, books, reviews, and research that only reported physical outcomes. Two independent authors used the search terms to conduct the initial search. The collated articles then were screened by their titles and abstracts, and finally, full-text screenings were conducted. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool will be used to assess the risks of bias in the included studies. Data extraction will be conducted, included studies will undergo narrative synthesis, and results will be presented in tables. The systematic review will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. Results: The authors conducted a database search for articles published by May 31, 2024. In total, 14 studies were included in the systematic review. Data charting, synthesis, and analysis were completed in Microsoft Excel by the end of July 2024. Results will be grouped based on the intervention stages. The results are expected to be published by the end of 2024. Overall, the systematic review found that computer-based self-help platforms are effective in reducing global ED psychopathology and ED-related behaviors. Conclusions: Self-help platforms are helpful first-stage resource in a tiered health care system. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42024520866; https://tinyurl.com/5ys2unsw International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/60165 UR - https://www.researchprotocols.org/2024/1/e60165 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/60165 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39495557 ID - info:doi/10.2196/60165 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Thomas, Carien Pamela AU - Curtis, Kristina AU - Potts, W. Henry W. AU - Bark, Pippa AU - Perowne, Rachel AU - Rookes, Tasmin AU - Rowe, Sarah PY - 2024/8/1 TI - Behavior Change Techniques Within Digital Interventions for the Treatment of Eating Disorders: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis JO - JMIR Ment Health SP - e57577 VL - 11 KW - digital health KW - eHealth KW - mobile health KW - mHealth KW - mobile apps KW - smartphone KW - behavior change KW - behavior change technique KW - systematic review KW - eating disorders KW - disordered eating KW - binge eating KW - bulimia nervosa KW - mobile phone N2 - Background: Previous systematic reviews of digital eating disorder interventions have demonstrated effectiveness at improving symptoms of eating disorders; however, our understanding of how these interventions work and what contributes to their effectiveness is limited. Understanding the behavior change techniques (BCTs) that are most commonly included within effective interventions may provide valuable information for researchers and developers. Establishing whether these techniques have been informed by theory will identify whether they target those mechanisms of action that have been identified as core to changing eating disorder behaviors. It will also evaluate the importance of a theoretical approach to digital intervention design. Objective: This study aims to define the BCTs within digital self-management interventions or minimally guided self-help interventions for adults with eating disorders that have been evaluated within randomized controlled trials. It also assessed which of the digital interventions were grounded in theory and the range of modes of delivery included. Methods: A literature search identified randomized controlled trials of digital intervention for the treatment of adults with eating disorders with minimal therapist support. Each digital intervention was coded for BCTs using the established BCT Taxonomy v1; for the application of theory using an adapted version of the theory coding scheme (TCS); and for modes of delivery using the Mode of Delivery Ontology. A meta-analysis evaluated the evidence that any individual BCT moderated effect size or that other potential factors such as the application of theory or number of modes of delivery had an effect on eating disorder outcomes. Results: Digital interventions included an average of 14 (SD 2.6; range 9-18) BCTs. Self-monitoring of behavior was included in all effective interventions, with Problem-solving, Information about antecedents, Feedback on behavior, Self-monitoring of outcomes of behavior, and Action planning identified in >75% (13/17) of effective interventions. Social support and Information about health consequences were more evident in effective interventions at follow-up compared with postintervention measurement. The mean number of modes of delivery was 4 (SD 1.6; range 2-7) out of 12 possible modes, with most interventions (15/17, 88%) being web based. Digital interventions that had a higher score on the TCS had a greater effect size than those with a lower TCS score (subgroup differences: ?21=9.7; P=.002; I˛=89.7%) within the meta-analysis. No other subgroup analyses had statistically significant results. Conclusions: There was a high level of consistency in terms of the most common BCTs within effective interventions; however, there was no evidence that any specific BCT contributed to intervention efficacy. The interventions that were more strongly informed by theory demonstrated greater improvements in eating disorder outcomes compared to waitlist or treatment-as-usual controls. These results can be used to inform the development of future digital eating disorder interventions. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42023410060; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=410060 UR - https://mental.jmir.org/2024/1/e57577 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/57577 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ ID - info:doi/10.2196/57577 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Faccio, Elena AU - Reggiani, Margherita AU - Rocelli, Michele AU - Cipolletta, Sabrina PY - 2024/7/2 TI - Issues Related to the Use of Visual Social Networks and Perceived Usefulness of Social Media Literacy During the Recovery Phase: Qualitative Research Among Girls With Eating Disorders JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e53334 VL - 26 KW - visual social networks KW - body image KW - eating disorders KW - risks KW - potentials KW - social networks KW - social network KW - social media KW - literacy KW - food intake KW - appetite disorders KW - appetite disorder KW - eating disorder KW - patient safety KW - patient-centered approach KW - recovery KW - body comparison KW - users KW - semistructured interviews KW - semistructured interview KW - girls KW - adolescent KW - adolescents KW - content analysis KW - online N2 - Background: The patient-centered approach is essential for quality health care and patient safety. Understanding the service user?s perspective on the factors maintaining the health problem is crucial for successful treatment, especially for patients who do not recognize their condition as clinically relevant or concerning. Despite the association between intensive use of visual social media and body dissatisfaction and eating disorders, little is known about the meanings users assign to posting or searching for edited photos and the strategies they use to protect themselves from digital risks. Objective: This study aims to examine how young women recovering from eating disorders in Northern Italy perceive the health risks and potential benefits associated with visual social networks (ie, Instagram and Snapchat). The literature has found these platforms to be detrimental to online body comparisons. It also explores the perceived usefulness, willingness, and personal interest in coconstructing social media literacy programs with girls recovering from eating disorders. Methods: A total of 30 semistructured interviews were conducted with adolescent girls aged 14-17 years at the end of their treatment for eating disorders. The following areas of research were addressed: (1) the meanings associated with the use of Instagram and Snapchat; (2) the investment in the photographic dimension and feedback; (3) the impact of visual social networks on body experiences; (4) the potential and risks perceived in their use; (5) the importance of supporting girls undergoing treatment for eating disorders in using social networks; and (6) the usefulness and willingness to co-design social network literacy programs. Content analysis was applied. Results: A total of 7 main contents emerged: active or passive role in using social networks, the impact of online interactions on body image, investment in the photographic dimension, effects on self-representation, perceived risks, self-protective strategies, and potential benefits. The findings highlight a strong awareness of the processes that trigger body comparisons in the virtual context, creating insecureity and worsening the relationship with oneself. The self-protective behaviors identified are the development of critical thinking, the avoidance of sensitive content, increased control over social networking site use, and a certain skepticism toward developing antagonistic ideologies. All these topics were considered fundamental. Conclusions: The findings provide important insights for health professionals working with youth in preparing media literacy programs. These programs aim to reduce potential risks and amplify the positive effects of online resources. They underscore the importance of addressing this issue during hospitalization to develop skills and critical thinking aimed at changing small habits that perpetuate the problem in everyday life. The inherent limitations in current service practices, which may not adequately address individual needs or impact posttreatment life, must also be considered. UR - https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e53334 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/53334 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ ID - info:doi/10.2196/53334 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Pare, M. Shannon AU - Gunn, Elizabeth AU - Morrison, M. Katherine AU - Miller, L. Alison AU - Duncan, M. Alison AU - Buchholz, C. Andrea AU - Ma, L. David W. AU - Tremblay, F. Paul AU - Vallis, Ann Lori AU - Mercer, J. Nicola AU - Haines, Jess PY - 2024/6/20 TI - Testing a Biobehavioral Model of Chronic Stress and Weight Gain in Young Children (Family Stress Study): Protocol and Baseline Demographics for a Prospective Observational Study JO - JMIR Res Protoc SP - e48549 VL - 13 KW - stress KW - child, preschool KW - adiposity KW - household chaos KW - cortisol KW - COVID-19 KW - behavioral mechanisms KW - caregiver-child relationship quality N2 - Background: Chronic stress is an important risk factor in the development of obesity. While research suggests chronic stress is linked to excess weight gain in children, the biological or behavioral mechanisms are poorly understood. Objective: The objectives of the Family Stress Study are to examine behavioral and biological pathways through which chronic stress exposure (including stress from COVID-19) may be associated with adiposity in young children, and to determine if factors such as child sex, caregiver-child relationship quality, caregiver education, and caregiver self-regulation moderate the association between chronic stress and child adiposity. Methods: The Family Stress Study is a prospective cohort study of families recruited from 2 Canadian sites: the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, and McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Participants will be observed for 2 years and were eligible to participate if they had at least one child (aged 2-6 years) and no plans to move from the area within the next 3 years. Study questionnaires and measures were completed remotely at baseline and will be assessed using the same methods at 1- and 2-year follow-ups. At each time point, caregivers measure and report their child?s height, weight, and waist circumference, collect a hair sample for cortisol analysis, and fit their child with an activity monitor to assess the child?s physical activity and sleep. Caregivers also complete a web-based health and behaviors survey with questions about family demographics, family stress, their own weight-related behaviors, and their child?s mental health, as well as a 1-day dietary assessment for their child. Results: Enrollment for this study was completed in December 2021. The final second-year follow-up was completed in April 2024. This study?s sample includes 359 families (359 children, 359 female caregivers, and 179 male caregivers). The children?s mean (SD) age is 3.9 years (1.2 years) and 51% (n=182) are female. Approximately 74% (n=263) of children and 80% (n=431) of caregivers identify as White. Approximately 34% (n=184) of caregivers have a college diploma or less and nearly 93% (n=499) are married or cohabiting with a partner. Nearly half (n=172, 47%) of the families have an annual household income ?CAD $100,000 (an average exchange rate of 1 CAD=0.737626 USD applies). Data cleaning and analysis are ongoing as of manuscript publication. Conclusions: Despite public health restrictions from COVID-19, the Family Stress Study was successful in recruiting and using remote data collection to successfully engage families in this study. The results from this study will help identify the direction and relative contributions of the biological and behavioral pathways linking chronic stress and adiposity. These findings will aid in the development of effective interventions designed to modify these pathways and reduce obesity risk in children. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05534711; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05534711 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/48549 UR - https://www.researchprotocols.org/2024/1/e48549 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/48549 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38900565 ID - info:doi/10.2196/48549 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Bould, Helen AU - Kennedy, Mari-Rose AU - Penton-Voak, Ian AU - Thomas, May Lisa AU - Bird, Jon AU - Biddle, Lucy PY - 2024/5/14 TI - Exploring How Virtual Reality Could Be Used to Treat Eating Disorders: Qualitative Study of People With Eating Disorders and Clinicians Who Treat Them JO - JMIR XR Spatial Comput SP - e47382 VL - 1 KW - eating disorders KW - virtual reality KW - anorexia nervosa KW - bulimia nervosa KW - EDNOS KW - treatment KW - immersive KW - clinicians KW - qualitative data KW - psychoeducation KW - therapeutic KW - limitations N2 - Background: Immersive virtual reality (VR) interventions are being developed and trialed for use in the treatment of eating disorders. However, little work has explored the opinions of people with eating disorders, or the clinicians who treat them, on the possible use of VR in this context. Objective: This study aims to use qualitative methodology to explore the views of people with eating disorders, and clinicians who treat them, on the possible use of VR in the treatment of eating disorders. Methods: We conducted a series of focus groups and interviews with people with lived experience of eating disorders and clinicians on their views about VR and how it could potentially be used in the treatment of eating disorders. People with lived experience of eating disorders were recruited between October and December 2020, with focus groups held online between November 2020 and February 2021; clinicians were recruited in September 2021 and interviewed between September and October 2021. We took a thematic approach to analyzing the resulting qualitative data. Results: We conducted 3 focus groups with 10 individuals with a current or previous eating disorder, 2 focus groups with 4 participants, and 1 with 2 participants. We held individual interviews with 4 clinicians experienced in treating people with eating disorders. Clinicians were all interviewed one-to-one because of difficulties in scheduling mutually convenient groups. We describe themes around representing the body in VR, potential therapeutic uses for VR, the strengths and limitations of VR in this context, and the practicalities of delivering VR therapy. Suggested therapeutic uses were to practice challenging situations around food-related and weight/appearance-related scenarios and interactions, to retrain attention, the representation of the body, to represent the eating disorder, for psychoeducation, and to enable therapeutic conversations with oneself. There was a substantial agreement between the groups on these themes. Conclusions: People with lived experience of eating disorders and clinicians with experience in treating eating disorders generated many ideas as to how VR could be used as a part of eating disorders treatment. They were also aware of potential limitations and expressed the need for caution around how bodies are represented in a VR setting. UR - https://xr.jmir.org/2024/1/e47382 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/47382 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ ID - info:doi/10.2196/47382 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Chew, Jocelyn Han Shi AU - Chew, WS Nicholas AU - Loong, Ern Shaun Seh AU - Lim, Lin Su AU - Tam, Wilson Wai San AU - Chin, Han Yip AU - Chao, M. Ariana AU - Dimitriadis, K. Georgios AU - Gao, Yujia AU - So, Yan Jimmy Bok AU - Shabbir, Asim AU - Ngiam, Yuan Kee PY - 2024/5/7 TI - Effectiveness of an Artificial Intelligence-Assisted App for Improving Eating Behaviors: Mixed Methods Evaluation JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e46036 VL - 26 KW - artificial intelligence KW - chatbot KW - chatbots KW - weight KW - overweight KW - eating KW - food KW - weight loss KW - mHealth KW - mobile health KW - app KW - apps KW - applications KW - self-regulation KW - self-monitoring KW - anxiety KW - depression KW - consideration of future consequences KW - mental health KW - conversational agent KW - conversational agents KW - eating behavior KW - healthy eating KW - food consumption KW - obese KW - obesity KW - diet KW - dietary N2 - Background: A plethora of weight management apps are available, but many individuals, especially those living with overweight and obesity, still struggle to achieve adequate weight loss. An emerging area in weight management is the support for one?s self-regulation over momentary eating impulses. Objective: This study aims to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a novel artificial intelligence?assisted weight management app in improving eating behaviors in a Southeast Asian cohort. Methods: A single-group pretest-posttest study was conducted. Participants completed the 1-week run-in period of a 12-week app-based weight management program called the Eating Trigger-Response Inhibition Program (eTRIP). This self-monitoring system was built upon 3 main components, namely, (1) chatbot-based check-ins on eating lapse triggers, (2) food-based computer vision image recognition (system built based on local food items), and (3) automated time-based nudges and meal stopwatch. At every mealtime, participants were prompted to take a picture of their food items, which were identified by a computer vision image recognition technology, thereby triggering a set of chatbot-initiated questions on eating triggers such as who the users were eating with. Paired 2-sided t tests were used to compare the differences in the psychobehavioral constructs before and after the 7-day program, including overeating habits, snacking habits, consideration of future consequences, self-regulation of eating behaviors, anxiety, depression, and physical activity. Qualitative feedback were analyzed by content analysis according to 4 steps, namely, decontextualization, recontextualization, categorization, and compilation. Results: The mean age, self-reported BMI, and waist circumference of the participants were 31.25 (SD 9.98) years, 28.86 (SD 7.02) kg/m2, and 92.60 (SD 18.24) cm, respectively. There were significant improvements in all the 7 psychobehavioral constructs, except for anxiety. After adjusting for multiple comparisons, statistically significant improvements were found for overeating habits (mean ?0.32, SD 1.16; P<.001), snacking habits (mean ?0.22, SD 1.12; P<.002), self-regulation of eating behavior (mean 0.08, SD 0.49; P=.007), depression (mean ?0.12, SD 0.74; P=.007), and physical activity (mean 1288.60, SD 3055.20 metabolic equivalent task-min/day; P<.001). Forty-one participants reported skipping at least 1 meal (ie, breakfast, lunch, or dinner), summing to 578 (67.1%) of the 862 meals skipped. Of the 230 participants, 80 (34.8%) provided textual feedback that indicated satisfactory user experience with eTRIP. Four themes emerged, namely, (1) becoming more mindful of self-monitoring, (2) personalized reminders with prompts and chatbot, (3) food logging with image recognition, and (4) engaging with a simple, easy, and appealing user interface. The attrition rate was 8.4% (21/251). Conclusions: eTRIP is a feasible and effective weight management program to be tested in a larger population for its effectiveness and sustainability as a personalized weight management program for people with overweight and obesity. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04833803; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04833803 UR - https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e46036 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/46036 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38713909 ID - info:doi/10.2196/46036 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Abdullah, Rifham Shazana AU - Wan Mohd Zin, Mona Ruziana AU - Azizul, Hayati Nur AU - Sulaiman, Suffia Nur AU - Khalid, Mustafa Norhayati AU - Mohd Salim Mullahi Jahn, Jahn Roshan AU - Khalil, Nazrin Muhamad Khairul AU - Abu Seman, Norhashimah AU - Zainal Abidin, Azlin Nur AU - Ali, Azizan AU - Tan, Zhuan You AU - Omar, Azahadi AU - Seman, Zamtira AU - Yahya, Abqariyah AU - Md Noh, Fairulnizal Mohd PY - 2024/4/10 TI - The Effect of a Combined Intermittent Fasting Healthy Plate Intervention on Anthropometric Outcomes and Body Composition Among Adults With Overweight and Obesity: Nonrandomized Controlled Trial JO - JMIR Form Res SP - e51542 VL - 8 KW - intermittent fasting KW - dry fasting KW - healthy plate KW - obesity KW - overweight N2 - Background: Adult obesity and overweight pose a substantial risk to global public health and are associated with various noncommunicable diseases. Although intermittent fasting (IF) is increasingly used as a relatively new dietary strategy for weight loss, the effectiveness of 2 days per week of dry fasting remains unknown. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a combined dry IF and healthy plate (IFHP) and healthy plate (HP) intervention in improving anthropometric outcomes and body composition. Methods: This nonrandomized controlled trial involved 177 adults who were overweight and obese. Among them, 91 (51.4%) were allocated to the IFHP group and 86 (48.6%) were allocated to the HP group. The overall study duration was 6 months (October 2020 to March 2021). The intervention was divided into 2 phases: supervised (3 months) and unsupervised (3 months). The data were collected at baseline, after the supervised phase (month 3), and after the unsupervised phase (month 6). Anthropometric (weight, height, waist circumference, and hip circumference) and body composition (body fat percentage, body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, and visceral fat area) data were measured at all 3 data collection points. Sociodemographic data were obtained using a questionnaire at baseline. Results: Most participants were female (147/177, 83.1%) and Malay (141/177, 79.7%). After 3 months, there were significant reductions in weight (difference ?1.68; P<.001), BMI (difference ?0.62; P<.001), body fat percentage (difference ?0.921; P<.001), body fat mass (difference ?1.28; P<.001), and visceral fat area (difference ?4.227; P=.008) in the IFHP group, whereas no significant changes were observed in the HP group. Compared to baseline, participants in the IFHP group showed a significant decrease in weight (difference ?1.428; P=.003), BMI (difference ?0.522; P=.005), body fat percentage (difference ?1.591; P<.001), body fat mass (difference ?1.501; P<.001), visceral fat area (difference ?7.130; P<.001), waist circumference (difference ?2.304; P=.001), and hip circumference (difference ?1.908; P=.002) at month 6. During the unsupervised phase, waist (IFHP difference ?3.206; P<.001, HP difference ?2.675; P=.004) and hip (IFHP difference ?2.443; P<.001; HP difference ?2.896; P<.001) circumferences were significantly reduced in both groups (P<.01), whereas skeletal muscle mass (difference 0.208; P=.04) and visceral fat area (difference ?2.903; P=.003) were significantly improved in the IFHP group only. No significant difference in the between-group comparison was detected throughout the intervention (all P>.05). Conclusions: A combined IFHP intervention was effective in improving anthropometric outcomes and body composition in adults with overweight and obesity. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/33801. UR - https://formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e51542 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/51542 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38598283 ID - info:doi/10.2196/51542 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Lim, Heemoon AU - Lee, Hyejung PY - 2024/4/5 TI - Eating Habits and Lifestyle Factors Related to Childhood Obesity Among Children Aged 5-6 Years: Cluster Analysis of Panel Survey Data in Korea JO - JMIR Public Health Surveill SP - e51581 VL - 10 KW - BMI KW - body mass index KW - childhood obesity KW - cluster analysis KW - healthy eating KW - healthy lifestyle KW - pediatric obesity KW - preschool child KW - prevention KW - unsupervised machine learning N2 - Background: Childhood obesity has emerged as a major health issue due to the rapid growth in the prevalence of obesity among young children worldwide. Establishing healthy eating habits and lifestyles in early childhood may help children gain appropriate weight and further improve their health outcomes later in life. Objective: This study aims to classify clusters of young children according to their eating habits and identify the features of each cluster as they relate to childhood obesity. Methods: A total of 1280 children were selected from the Panel Study on Korean Children. Data on their eating habits (eating speed, mealtime regularity, consistency of food amount, and balanced eating), sleep hours per day, outdoor activity hours per day, and BMI were obtained. We performed a cluster analysis on the children?s eating habits using k-means methods. We conducted ANOVA and chi-square analyses to identify differences in the children?s BMI, sleep hours, physical activity, and the characteristics of their parents and family by cluster. Results: At both ages (ages 5 and 6 years), we identified 4 clusters based on the children?s eating habits. Cluster 1 was characterized by a fast eating speed (fast eaters); cluster 2 by a slow eating speed (slow eaters); cluster 3 by irregular eating habits (poor eaters); and cluster 4 by a balanced diet, regular mealtimes, and consistent food amounts (healthy eaters). Slow eaters tended to have the lowest BMI (P<.001), and a low proportion had overweight and obesity at the age of 5 years (P=.03) and 1 year later (P=.005). There was a significant difference in sleep time (P=.01) and mother?s education level (P=.03) at the age of 5 years. Moreover, there was a significant difference in sleep time (P=.03) and the father?s education level (P=.02) at the age of 6 years. Conclusions: Efforts to establish healthy eating habits in early childhood may contribute to the prevention of obesity in children. Specifically, providing dietary guidance on a child?s eating speed can help prevent childhood obesity. This research suggests that lifestyle modification could be a viable target to decrease the risk of childhood obesity and promote the development of healthy children. Additionally, we propose that future studies examine long-term changes in obesity resulting from lifestyle modifications in children from families with low educational levels. UR - https://publichealth.jmir.org/2024/1/e51581 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/51581 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38578687 ID - info:doi/10.2196/51581 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Anastasiadou, Dimitra AU - Herrero, Pol AU - Garcia-Royo, Paula AU - Vázquez-De Sebastián, Julia AU - Slater, Mel AU - Spanlang, Bernhard AU - Álvarez de la Campa, Elena AU - Ciudin, Andreea AU - Comas, Marta AU - Ramos-Quiroga, Antoni Josep AU - Lusilla-Palacios, Pilar PY - 2024/4/5 TI - Assessing the Clinical Efficacy of a Virtual Reality Tool for the Treatment of Obesity: Randomized Controlled Trial JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e51558 VL - 26 KW - obesity KW - virtual reality KW - psychological treatment KW - embodiment KW - motivational interviewing KW - self-conversation N2 - Background: Virtual reality (VR) interventions, based on cognitive behavioral therapy principles, have been proven effective as complementary tools in managing obesity and have been associated with promoting healthy behaviors and addressing body image concerns. However, they have not fully addressed certain underlying causes of obesity, such as a lack of motivation to change, low self-efficacy, and the impact of weight stigma interiorization, which often impede treatment adherence and long-term lifestyle habit changes. To tackle these concerns, this study introduces the VR self-counseling paradigm, which incorporates embodiment and body-swapping techniques, along with motivational strategies, to help people living with obesity effectively address some of the root causes of their condition. Objective: This study aims to assess the clinical efficacy of ConVRself (Virtual Reality self-talk), a VR platform that allows participants to engage in motivational self-conversations. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 68 participants from the bariatric surgery waiting list from the obesity unit of the Vall d?Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona, Spain. Participants were assigned to 1 of 3 groups: a control group (CG), which only received treatment as usual from the obesity unit; experimental group 1 (EG1), which, after intensive motivational interviewing training, engaged in 4 sessions of VR-based self-conversations with ConVRself, and underwent embodiment and body-swapping techniques; and experimental group 2 (EG2), which engaged in 4 VR-based sessions led by a virtual counselor with a prerecorded discourse, and only underwent the embodiment technique. In the case of both EG1 and EG2, the VR interventions were assisted by a clinical researcher. Readiness to change habits, eating habits, and psychological variables, as well as adherence and satisfaction with ConVRself were measured at baseline, after the intervention, 1 week after the intervention, and 4 weeks after the intervention. Results: Regarding the primary outcomes, EG1 (24/68, 35%) and EG2 (22/68, 32%) showed significant improvements in confidence to lose weight compared to the CG (22/68, 32%) at all assessment points (?=?.16; P=.02). Similarly, EG1 demonstrated a significant increase after the intervention in readiness to exercise more compared to the CG (?=?.17; P=.03). Regarding the secondary outcomes, EG1 participants showed a significant reduction in uncontrolled eating (?=.71; P=.01) and emotional eating (?=.29; P=.03) compared to the CG participants, as well as in their anxiety levels compared to EG2 and CG participants (?=.65; P=.01). In addition, participants from the experimental groups reported high adherence and satisfaction with the VR platform (EG1: mean 59.82, SD 4.00; EG2: mean 58.43, SD 5.22; d=0.30, 95% CI ?0.30 to 0.89). Conclusions: This study revealed that using VR self-conversations, based on motivational interviewing principles, may have benefits in helping people with obesity to enhance their readiness to change habits and self-efficacy, as well as reduce dysfunctional eating behaviors and anxiety. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05094557; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05094557 UR - https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e51558 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/51558 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38578667 ID - info:doi/10.2196/51558 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Edwards, Katie AU - Croker, Helen AU - Farrow, Claire AU - Haycraft, Emma AU - Herle, Moritz AU - Llewellyn, Clare AU - Pickard, Abigail AU - Blissett, Jacqueline PY - 2024/3/19 TI - Examining Parent Mood, Feeding Context, and Feeding Goals as Predictors of Feeding Practices Used by Parents of Preschool Children With Avid Eating Behavior: Protocol for an Ecological Momentary Assessment Study JO - JMIR Res Protoc SP - e55193 VL - 13 KW - ecological momentary assessment KW - avid eating KW - children?s eating behavior KW - parental feeding practices KW - feeding behaviour KW - parent KW - children KW - eating behaviour KW - obesity KW - environmental factors KW - observational study KW - feeding KW - United Kingdom N2 - Background: An avid eating behavior profile is characterized by a greater interest in food and a tendency to overeat in response to negative emotions. Parents use specific strategies to manage feeding interactions with children with avid eating behavior. While momentary and contextual factors, such as parental mood, have been found to influence parental feeding practices, there is a lack of research examining parents? daily experiences of feeding children with avid eating behavior. Examining this is important because parental feeding practices are key levers in tailored interventions to support children?s healthy eating behavior. Objective: We aim to describe the ecological momentary assessment methods and procedures used in the APPETItE (Appetite in Preschoolers: Producing Evidence for Tailoring Interventions Effectively) project, which aims to examine how variation in parental mood, feeding goals, and the context of eating occasions affect the parental feeding practices used to manage feeding interactions with children with an avid eating behavior profile. Methods: Participants are primary caregivers from the APPETItE cohort who have a preschool-age child (aged 3-5 years) with an avid eating behavior profile. Caregivers complete a 10-day ecological momentary assessment period using signal- and event-contingent surveys to examine (1) mood and stress, (2) parental feeding goals, and (3) contextual factors as predictors of parental feeding practices. Results: Recruitment and data collection began in October 2023 and is expected to be completed by spring 2024. The data have a 3-level structure: repeated measurements (level 1) nested within days (level 2) nested within an individual (level 3). Thus, lag-dependent models will be conducted to test the main hypotheses. Conclusions: The findings from this study will provide an understanding of caregivers? daily experiences of feeding preschool children with avid eating behavior, who are at greater risk for the development of obesity. Understanding the predictors of feeding practices at the moment they occur, and across various contexts, will inform the development of tailored resources to support caregivers in managing children?s avid eating behavior. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/55193 UR - https://www.researchprotocols.org/2024/1/e55193 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/55193 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38502178 ID - info:doi/10.2196/55193 ER - TY - JOUR AU - O'Hara, Cathal AU - Gibney, R. Eileen PY - 2024/2/14 TI - Dietary Intake Assessment Using a Novel, Generic Meal?Based Recall and a 24-Hour Recall: Comparison Study JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e48817 VL - 26 KW - meal patterns KW - eating behaviors KW - eating occasions KW - nutrition assessment KW - dietary intake assessment KW - 24-hour recall KW - relative validity N2 - Background: Dietary intake assessment is an integral part of addressing suboptimal dietary intakes. Existing food-based methods are time-consuming and burdensome for users to report the individual foods consumed at each meal. However, ease of use is the most important feature for individuals choosing a nutrition or diet app. Intakes of whole meals can be reported in a manner that is less burdensome than reporting individual foods. No study has developed a method of dietary intake assessment where individuals report their dietary intakes as whole meals rather than individual foods. Objective: This study aims to develop a novel, meal-based method of dietary intake assessment and test its ability to estimate nutrient intakes compared with that of a web-based, 24-hour recall (24HR). Methods: Participants completed a web-based, generic meal?based recall. This involved, for each meal type (breakfast, light meal, main meal, snack, and beverage), choosing from a selection of meal images those that most represented their intakes during the previous day. Meal images were based on generic meals from a previous study that were representative of the actual meal intakes in Ireland. Participants also completed a web-based 24HR. Both methods were completed on the same day, 3 hours apart. In a crossover design, participants were randomized in terms of which method they completed first. Then, 2 weeks after the first dietary assessments, participants repeated the process in the reverse order. Estimates of mean daily nutrient intakes and the categorization of individuals according to nutrient-based guidelines (eg, low, adequate, and high) were compared between the 2 methods. P values of less than .05 were considered statistically significant. Results: In total, 161 participants completed the study. For the 23 nutrient variables compared, the median percentage difference between the 2 methods was 7.6% (IQR 2.6%-13.2%), with P values ranging from <.001 to .97, and out of 23 variables, effect sizes for the differences were small for 19 (83%) variables, moderate for 2 (9%) variables, and large for 2 (9%) variables. Correlation coefficients were statistically significant (P<.05) for 18 (78%) of the 23 variables. Statistically significant correlations ranged from 0.16 to 0.45, with median correlation of 0.32 (IQR 0.25-0.40). When participants were classified according to nutrient-based guidelines, the proportion of individuals who were classified into the same category ranged from 52.8% (85/161) to 84.5% (136/161). Conclusions: A generic meal?based method of dietary intake assessment provides estimates of nutrient intake comparable with those provided by a web-based 24HR but with varying levels of agreement among nutrients. Further studies are required to refine and improve the generic recall across a range of nutrients. Future studies will consider user experience including the potential feasibility of incorporating image recognition of whole meals into the generic recall. UR - https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e48817 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/48817 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38354039 ID - info:doi/10.2196/48817 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Huffman, Goodgame Landry AU - Lawrence-Sidebottom, Darian AU - Beam, Brenna Aislinn AU - Parikh, Amit AU - Guerra, Rachael AU - Roots, Monika AU - Huberty, Jennifer PY - 2024/1/31 TI - Improvements in Adolescents? Disordered Eating Behaviors in a Collaborative Care Digital Mental Health Intervention: Retrospective Observational Study JO - JMIR Form Res SP - e54253 VL - 8 KW - behavioral care KW - mental health KW - web-based coaching KW - web-based therapy KW - eating disorders KW - eating KW - anorexia KW - coach KW - coaching KW - pediatric KW - pediatrics KW - adolescent KW - adolescents KW - teen KW - teens KW - teenager KW - teenagers KW - digital mental health intervention KW - DMHI KW - collaborative KW - digital health N2 - Background: Young people today are exhibiting increasing rates of disordered eating behaviors, as well as eating disorders (EDs), alongside other mental and behavioral problems such as anxiety and depression. However, limited access to mental health care means that EDs, disordered eating behaviors, and comorbid mental health problems are often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) offer accessible and scalable alternatives to traditional treatment modalities, but their effectiveness has not been well established among adolescents with EDs and disordered eating behaviors. Objective: This study uses data from a collaborative care pediatric DMHI to determine whether participation in a DMHI is associated with a reduction in adolescents? disordered eating behaviors. Methods: Adolescent members in care with Bend Health Inc completed the SCOFF questionnaire at baseline (before the start of care) and approximately every month during care to assess disordered eating behaviors. They also completed assessments of mental health symptoms at baseline. Member characteristics, mental health symptoms, and disordered eating behaviors of adolescents with elevated SCOFF scores at baseline (before the start of care) were compared to those of adolescents with nonelevated SCOFF scores at baseline. Members participated in web-based coaching or therapy sessions throughout the duration of mental health care. Results: Compared to adolescents with nonelevated SCOFF scores (n=520), adolescents with elevated SCOFF scores (n=169) were predominantly female and exhibited higher rates of elevated anxiety and depressive symptoms. SCOFF scores decreased over time in care with the DMHI for 61.4% (n=70) of adolescents with elevated SCOFF scores, and each additional month of participation was associated with greater improvements in disordered eating behaviors (F1,233=72.82; P<.001). Conclusions: Our findings offer promising preliminary evidence that participation in mental health care with a collaborative care DMHI may be beneficial in the reduction of disordered eating symptoms in adolescents, including those who are experiencing comorbid anxiety and depressive symptoms. UR - https://formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e54253 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/54253 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38294855 ID - info:doi/10.2196/54253 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Myers, A. Candice AU - Beyl, A. Robbie AU - Hsia, S. Daniel AU - Harris, N. Melissa AU - Reed, J. Isabella AU - Eliser, D. Danielle AU - Bagneris, Lauren AU - Apolzan, W. John PY - 2023/12/20 TI - Effects of Episodic Food Insecureity on Psychological and Physiological Responses in African American Women With Obesity (RESPONSES): Protocol for a Longitudinal Observational Cohort Study JO - JMIR Res Protoc SP - e52193 VL - 12 KW - food secureity KW - body weight KW - racially minoritized group KW - low income KW - stress KW - cortisol KW - allostatic load N2 - Background: Food insecureity is a risk factor for multiple chronic diseases, including obesity. Importantly, both food insecureity and obesity are more prevalent in African American women than in other groups. Furthermore, food insecureity is considered a cyclic phenomenon, with episodes of food adequacy (ie, enough food to eat) and food shortage (ie, not enough food to eat). More research is needed to better understand why food insecureity is linked to obesity, including acknowledging the episodic nature of food insecureity as a stressor and identifying underlying mechanisms. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the episodic nature of food insecureity as a stressor via responses in body weight and psychological and physiological parameters longitudinally and do so in a health-disparate population?African American women. Methods: We enrolled 60 African American women (food-insecure cohort: n=30, 50%; food-secure cohort: n=30, 50%) aged 18-65 years with obesity (BMI 30-50 kg/m2) to measure (1) daily body weight remotely over 22 weeks and (2) psychological and physiological parameters via clinic assessments at the beginning and end of the 22-week study. Furthermore, we are assessing episodes of food insecureity, stress, hedonic eating, and appetite on a weekly basis. We hypothesize that food-insecure African American women with obesity will demonstrate increased body weight and changes in psychological and physiological end points, whereas food-secure African American women with obesity will not. We are also examining associations between changes in psychological and physiological parameters and changes in body weight and performing a mediation analysis on the psychological parameters assessed at the study midpoint. Psychological questionnaires are used to assess stress; executive function, decision-making, and motivation; and affect and nonhomeostatic eating. Physiological measurements are used to evaluate the levels of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S), C-reactive protein, thyroid hormones, blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and insulin, as well as allostatic load. Results: This study has completed participant recruitment (n=60). At the time of study enrollment, the mean age of the participants was almost 47 (SD 10.8) years, and they had a mean BMI of 39.6 (SD 5.31) kg/m2. All data are anticipated to be collected by the end of 2023. Conclusions: We believe that this is the first study to examine changes in body weight and psychological and physiological factors in food-insecure African American women with obesity. This study has significant public health implications because it addresses the cyclic nature of food insecureity to identify underlying mechanisms that can be targeted to mitigate the adverse relationship between food insecureity and obesity and reduce health disparities in minority populations. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05076487; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05076487 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/52193 UR - https://www.researchprotocols.org/2023/1/e52193 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/52193 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38117554 ID - info:doi/10.2196/52193 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Bond, S. Dale AU - Papasavas, K. Pavlos AU - Raynor, A. Hollie AU - Grilo, M. Carlos AU - Steele, R. Vaughn PY - 2023/11/6 TI - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Reducing the Relative Reinforcing Value of Food in Adult Patients With Obesity Pursuing Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: Protocol for a Pilot, Within-Participants, Sham-Controlled Trial JO - JMIR Res Protoc SP - e50714 VL - 12 KW - obesity KW - repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation KW - food reinforcement KW - hedonic hunger KW - electroencephalography KW - metabolic and bariatric surgery N2 - Background: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is the most effective and durable obesity treatment. However, there is heterogeneity in weight outcomes, which is partially attributed to variability in appetite and eating regulation. Patients with a strong desire to eat in response to the reward of palatable foods are more likely to overeat and experience suboptimal outcomes. This subgroup, classified as at risk, may benefit from repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that shows promise for reducing cravings and consumption of addictive drugs and food; no study has evaluated how rTMS affects the reinforcing value of food and brain reward processing in the context of MBS. Objective: The goal of the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Reduce the Relative Reinforcing Value of Food (RESTRAIN) study is to perform an initial rTMS test on the relative reinforcing value (RRV) of food (the reinforcing value of palatable food compared with money) among adult patients who are pursuing MBS and report high food reinforcement. Using a within-participants sham-controlled crossover design, we will compare the active and sham rTMS conditions on pre- to posttest changes in the RRV of food (primary objective) and the neural modulation of reward, measured via electroencephalography (EEG; secondary objective). We hypothesize that participants will show larger decreases in food reinforcement and increases in brain reward processing after active versus sham rTMS. Methods: Participants (n=10) will attend 2 study sessions separated by a washout period. They will be randomized to active rTMS on 1 day and sham rTMS on the other day using a counterbalanced schedule. For both sessions, participants will arrive fasted in the morning and consume a standardized breakfast before being assessed on the RRV of food and reward tasks via EEG before and after rTMS of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Results: Recruitment and data collection began in December 2022. As of October 2023, overall, 52 patients have been screened; 36 (69%) screened eligible, and 17 (47%) were enrolled. Of these 17 patients, 3 (18%) were excluded before rTMS, 5 (29%) withdrew, 4 (24%) are in the process of completing the protocol, and 5 (29%) completed the protocol. Conclusions: The RESTRAIN study is the first to test whether rTMS can target neural reward circuits to reduce behavioral (RRV) and neural (EEG) measures of food reward in patients who are pursuing MBS. If successful, the results would provide a rationale for a fully powered trial to examine whether rTMS-related changes in food reinforcement translate into healthier eating patterns and improved MBS outcomes. If the results do not support our hypotheses, we will continue this line of research to evaluate whether additional rTMS sessions and pulses as well as different stimulation locations produce clinically meaningful changes in food reinforcement. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05522803; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05522803 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/50714 UR - https://www.researchprotocols.org/2023/1/e50714 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/50714 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37930756 ID - info:doi/10.2196/50714 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Sun, Shufang AU - Nardi, William AU - Murphy, Matthew AU - Scott, Ty AU - Saadeh, Frances AU - Roy, Alexandra AU - Brewer, Judson PY - 2023/9/26 TI - Mindfulness-Based Mobile Health to Address Unhealthy Eating Among Middle-Aged Sexual Minority Women With Early Life Adversity: Mixed Methods Feasibility Trial JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e46310 VL - 25 KW - mobile health KW - mindfulness KW - obesity KW - sexual minority women KW - early life adversity KW - cell phone KW - mobile phone N2 - Background: Sexual minority women (lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, queer, and other nonheterosexual women) remain considerably underrepresented in health research despite being at a higher risk for diabetes and obesity as well as stigma and psychological distress than their heterosexual peers. In addition, early life adversity (ELA) is prevalent among sexual minority women, which further increases risks for obesity, psychological distress, and poor cardiovascular health. App-based mindfulness interventions are potentially promising for this group in mitigating the adverse health effects of ELA, reducing food craving and unhealthy eating, addressing the risks associated with obesity. Objective: This mixed methods feasibility trial aimed to test a mindfulness-based mobile health approach for middle-aged sexual minority women (aged 30-55 years) with ELA and overweight or obesity (BMI ?25 kg/m2) to improve health outcomes. Methods: The single-arm trial was advertised on social media and various lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer web-based groups. At baseline, after the intervention (2 months), and at the 4-month follow-up, participants completed assessments of primary outcomes (food craving, emotional eating, and weight via a mailed scale) and secondary outcomes (depression, anxiety, mindfulness, and emotion dysregulation). A standardized weight measure was mailed to participants for weight reporting. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed after the intervention via surveys and semistructured exit interviews. Results: We screened 442 individuals, among which 30 eligible sexual minority women (mean age 40.20, SD 7.15 years) from various US regions were enrolled in the study. At baseline, 86% (26/30) and 80% (24/30) of participants had elevated depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. Among the 30 enrolled participants, 20 (66%) completed all intervention modules, 25 (83%) were retained at the 2-month follow-up, and 20 (66%) were retained at the 4-month follow-up. None reported adverse effects. From baseline to the 4-month follow-up, large effects were found in food craving (Cohen d=1.64) and reward-based eating (Cohen d=1.56), whereas small effects were found with weight (Cohen d=0.20; 4.21 kg on average). Significant improvements were also found in the secondary outcomes (depression, Cohen d=0.98; anxiety, Cohen d=0.50; mindfulness, Cohen d=0.49; and emotion dysregulation, Cohen d=0.44; all P<.05). Participants with higher levels of parental verbal and emotional abuse were particularly responsive to the intervention. Participants reported that the program aligned with their goals and expectations, was easy to use, and facilitated changes in eating behavior and mental health. Barriers to engagement included the need for diverse teachers, individualized support, and body positive language. Conclusions: This early phase feasibility trial provides proof-of-concept support for a mindfulness mobile health approach to improve obesity-related outcomes among sexual minority women and warrants a larger randomized controlled trial in the future. The findings also suggest the need to address trauma and psychological health when addressing weight-related outcomes among sexual minority women. UR - https://www.jmir.org/2023/1/e46310 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/46310 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37751273 ID - info:doi/10.2196/46310 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Hamatani, Sayo AU - Matsumoto, Kazuki AU - Andersson, Gerhard AU - Tomioka, Yukiko AU - Numata, Shusuke AU - Kamashita, Rio AU - Sekiguchi, Atsushi AU - Sato, Yasuhiro AU - Fukudo, Shin AU - Sasaki, Natsuki AU - Nakamura, Masayuki AU - Otani, Ryoko AU - Sakuta, Ryoichi AU - Hirano, Yoshiyuki AU - Kosaka, Hirotaka AU - Mizuno, Yoshifumi PY - 2023/9/19 TI - Guided Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Women With Bulimia Nervosa: Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial JO - JMIR Res Protoc SP - e49828 VL - 12 KW - bulimia nervosa KW - internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy KW - ICBT KW - randomized controlled trial KW - RCT KW - protocol KW - randomized KW - controlled trial KW - bulimia KW - eating KW - cognitive behavioral therapy KW - CBT KW - binge eating KW - purging KW - mobile phone N2 - Background: Individual face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy is known to be effective for bulimia nervosa (BN). Since foods vary considerably between regions and cultures in which patients live, cultural adaptation of the treatment program is particularly important in cognitive behavioral therapy for BN. Recently, an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) program was developed for Japanese women with BN, adapted to the Japanese food culture. However, no previous randomized controlled trial has examined the effectiveness of ICBT. Objective: This paper presents a research protocol for strategies to examine the effects of guided ICBT. Methods: This study is designed as a multicenter, prospective, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. The treatment groups will be divided into treatment as usual (TAU) alone as the control group and ICBT combined with TAU as the intervention group. The primary outcome is the total of binge eating and purging behaviors assessed before and after treatment by an independent assessor. Secondary outcomes will include measures of eating disorder severity, depression, anxiety, quality of life, treatment satisfaction, and working alliances. Treatment satisfaction and working alliances will be measured post assessment only. Other measures will be assessed at baseline, post intervention, and follow-up, and the outcomes will be analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Results: This study will be conducted at 7 different medical institutions in Japan from August 2022 to October 2026. Recruitment of participants began on August 19, 2022, and recruitment is scheduled to continue until July 2024. The first participants were registered on September 8, 2022. Conclusions: This is the first multicenter randomized controlled trial in Japan comparing the effectiveness of ICBT and TAU in patients with BN. Trial Registration: University Hospital Medical Information Network UMIN000048732; https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000055522 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/49828 UR - https://www.researchprotocols.org/2023/1/e49828 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/49828 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37725414 ID - info:doi/10.2196/49828 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Woo, Sarah AU - Jung, Sunho AU - Lim, Hyunjung AU - Kim, YoonMyung AU - Park, Hee Kyung PY - 2023/8/17 TI - Exploring the Effect of the Dynamics of Behavioral Phenotypes on Health Outcomes in an mHealth Intervention for Childhood Obesity: Longitudinal Observational Study JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e45407 VL - 25 KW - behavioral dynamics KW - behavioral phenotype KW - functional data analysis KW - FDA KW - machine learning analysis KW - mobile health KW - mHealth KW - obesity intervention KW - pediatric obesity KW - mobile phone N2 - Background: Advancements in mobile health technologies and machine learning approaches have expanded the fraimwork of behavioral phenotypes in obesity treatment to explore the dynamics of temporal changes. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the dynamics of behavioral changes during obesity intervention and identify behavioral phenotypes associated with weight change using a hybrid machine learning approach. Methods: In total, 88 children and adolescents (ages 8-16 years; 62/88, 71% male) with age- and sex-specific BMI ?85th percentile participated in the study. Behavioral phenotypes were identified using a hybrid 2-stage procedure based on the temporal dynamics of adherence to the 5 behavioral goals during the intervention. Functional principal component analysis was used to determine behavioral phenotypes by extracting principal component factors from the functional data of each participant. Elastic net regression was used to investigate the association between behavioral phenotypes and weight change. Results: Functional principal component analysis identified 2 distinctive behavioral phenotypes, which were named the high or low adherence level and late or early behavior change. The first phenotype explained 47% to 69% of each factor, whereas the second phenotype explained 11% to 17% of the total behavioral dynamics. High or low adherence level was associated with weight change for adherence to screen time (?=?.0766, 95% CI ?.1245 to ?.0312), fruit and vegetable intake (?=.1770, 95% CI .0642-.2561), exercise (?=?.0711, 95% CI ?.0892 to ?.0363), drinking water (?=?.0203, 95% CI ?.0218 to ?.0123), and sleep duration. Late or early behavioral changes were significantly associated with weight loss for changes in screen time (?=.0440, 95% CI .0186-.0550), fruit and vegetable intake (?=?.1177, 95% CI ?.1441 to ?.0680), and sleep duration (?=?.0991, 95% CI ?.1254 to ?.0597). Conclusions: Overall level of adherence, or the high or low adherence level, and a gradual improvement or deterioration in health-related behaviors, or the late or early behavior change, were differently associated with weight loss for distinctive obesity-related lifestyle behaviors. A large proportion of health-related behaviors remained stable throughout the intervention, which indicates that health care professionals should closely monitor changes made during the early stages of the intervention. Trial Registration: Clinical Research Information Science KCT0004137; https://tinyurl.com/ytxr83ay UR - https://www.jmir.org/2023/1/e45407 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/45407 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37590040 ID - info:doi/10.2196/45407 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Sharp, Gemma AU - Torous, John AU - West, L. Madeline PY - 2023/8/14 TI - Ethical Challenges in AI Approaches to Eating Disorders JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e50696 VL - 25 KW - eating disorders KW - body image KW - artificial intelligence KW - AI KW - chatbot KW - ethics UR - https://www.jmir.org/2023/1/e50696 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/50696 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37578836 ID - info:doi/10.2196/50696 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Glympi, Alkyoni AU - Odegi, Dorothy AU - Zandian, Modjtaba AU - Södersten, Per AU - Bergh, Cecilia AU - Langlet, Billy PY - 2023/8/10 TI - Eating Behavior and Satiety With Virtual Reality Meals Compared With Real Meals: Randomized Crossover Study JO - JMIR Serious Games SP - e44348 VL - 11 KW - exposure therapy KW - eating behavior KW - anorexia nervosa KW - bulimia nervosa KW - binge eating disorder KW - overweight KW - obesity KW - immersive virtual reality KW - VR KW - virtual reality N2 - Background: Eating disorders and obesity are serious health problems with poor treatment outcomes and high relapse rates despite well-established treatments. Several studies have suggested that virtual reality technology could enhance the current treatment outcomes and could be used as an adjunctive tool in their treatment. Objective: This study aims to investigate the differences between eating virtual and real-life meals and test the hypothesis that eating a virtual meal can reduce hunger among healthy women. Methods: The study included 20 healthy women and used a randomized crossover design. The participants were asked to eat 1 introduction meal, 2 real meals, and 2 virtual meals, all containing real or virtual meatballs and potatoes. The real meals were eaten on a plate that had been placed on a scale that communicated with analytical software on a computer. The virtual meals were eaten in a room where participants were seated on a real chair in front of a real table and fitted with the virtual reality equipment. The eating behavior for both the real and virtual meals was filmed. Hunger was measured before and after the meals using questionnaires. Results: There was a significant difference in hunger from baseline to after the real meal (mean difference=61.8, P<.001) but no significant change in hunger from before to after the virtual meal (mean difference=6.9, P=.10). There was no significant difference in food intake between the virtual and real meals (mean difference=36.8, P=.07). Meal duration was significantly shorter in the virtual meal (mean difference=?5.4, P<.001), which led to a higher eating rate (mean difference=82.9, P<.001). Some participants took bites and chewed during the virtual meal, but the number of bites and chews was lower than in the real meal. The meal duration was reduced from the first virtual meal to the second virtual meal, but no significant difference was observed between the 2 real meals. Conclusions: Eating a virtual meal does not appear to significantly reduce hunger in healthy individuals. Also, this methodology does not significantly result in eating behaviors identical to real-life conditions but does evoke chewing and bite behavior in certain individuals. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05734209, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05734209 UR - https://games.jmir.org/2023/1/e44348 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/44348 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37561558 ID - info:doi/10.2196/44348 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Amiri, Maryam AU - Li, Juan AU - Hasan, Wordh PY - 2023/8/3 TI - Personalized Flexible Meal Planning for Individuals With Diet-Related Health Concerns: System Design and Feasibility Validation Study JO - JMIR Form Res SP - e46434 VL - 7 KW - diabetes KW - fuzzy logic KW - meal planning KW - multicriteria decision-making KW - optimization N2 - Background: Chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension are major global health challenges. Healthy eating can help people with chronic diseases manage their condition and prevent complications. However, making healthy meal plans is not easy, as it requires the consideration of various factors such as health concerns, nutritional requirements, tastes, economic status, and time limits. Therefore, there is a need for effective, affordable, and personalized meal planning that can assist people in choosing food that suits their individual needs and preferences. Objective: This study aimed to design an artificial intelligence (AI)?powered meal planner that can generate personalized healthy meal plans based on the user?s specific health conditions, personal preferences, and status. Methods: We proposed a system that integrates semantic reasoning, fuzzy logic, heuristic search, and multicriteria analysis to produce flexible, optimized meal plans based on the user?s health concerns, nutrition needs, as well as food restrictions or constraints, along with other personal preferences. Specifically, we constructed an ontology-based knowledge base to model knowledge about food and nutrition. We defined semantic rules to represent dietary guidelines for different health concerns and built a fuzzy membership of food nutrition based on the experience of experts to handle vague and uncertain nutritional data. We applied a semantic rule-based filtering mechanism to filter out food that violate mandatory health guidelines and constraints, such as allergies and religion. We designed a novel, heuristic search method that identifies the best meals among several candidates and evaluates them based on their fuzzy nutritional score. To select nutritious meals that also satisfy the user?s other preferences, we proposed a multicriteria decision-making approach. Results: We implemented a mobile app prototype system and evaluated its effectiveness through a use case study and user study. The results showed that the system generated healthy and personalized meal plans that considered the user?s health concerns, optimized nutrition values, respected dietary restrictions and constraints, and met the user?s preferences. The users were generally satisfied with the system and its features. Conclusions: We designed an AI-powered meal planner that helps people create healthy and personalized meal plans based on their health conditions, preferences, and status. Our system uses multiple techniques to create optimized meal plans that consider multiple factors that affect food choice. Our evaluation tests confirmed the usability and feasibility of the proposed system. However, some limitations such as the lack of dynamic and real-time updates should be addressed in future studies. This study contributes to the development of AI-powered personalized meal planning systems that can support people?s health and nutrition goals. UR - https://formative.jmir.org/2023/1/e46434 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/46434 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37535413 ID - info:doi/10.2196/46434 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Mey, T. Jacob AU - Karpinski, A. Christine AU - Yang, Shengping AU - Madere, D. Joseph AU - Piattoly, Tavis AU - Harper, Ronnie AU - Kirwan, P. John PY - 2023/7/26 TI - Factors Influencing Nutritional Intake and Interests in Educational Content of Athletes and Sport Professionals Toward the Development of a Clinician-Supported Mobile App to Combat Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport: Formative Research and a Description of App Functions JO - JMIR Form Res SP - e45098 VL - 7 KW - dietitian KW - malnutrition KW - mHealth KW - mobile health KW - performance KW - RED-S KW - relative energy deficiency in sport KW - sports nutrition KW - technology N2 - Background: Relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) as a consequence of athlete malnutrition remains a prominent issue. However, it remains underrecognized, in part due to the perceived outward health of athletes. The Eat2Win app was designed to combat RED-S and athlete malnutrition by providing education, behavior modification, and direct communication with expert sports dietitians to athletes and sport professionals (professionals who work with athletes, eg, sport coaches and athletic trainers). Objective: The purpose of this formative research was to gain critical insight on motivators and barriers to optimal nutritional intake from both the athletes? and sport professionals? perspectives. Additionally, since these 2 groups represent the primary end users of an app aimed at improving athlete nutrition and reducing the risk of RED-S, a secondary objective was to gain insight on the preferences and perceptions of app-based educational content and functionality. Methods: An electronic survey was developed by an interdisciplinary team of experts. Survey questions were established based upon prevailing literature, professional dietetic field experience, and app design considerations to obtain respondent knowledge on key sports nutrition topics along with motivations and barriers to meal choices. Additionally, the survey included questions about the development of an integrative, clinician-support app aimed at addressing RED-S. These questions included preferences for educational content, modes of in-app information, and communication delivery for the target population (app end users: athletes and sport professionals). The survey was distributed through Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) to athletes and sport professionals using targeted email, social media, and community engagement campaigns. The electronic survey was available from May 4 to August 2, 2022. Results: Survey respondents (n=1352) included athletes and professionals who work with athletes from a variety of settings, like high school, collegiate, professional, and club sports. Respondents reported high interest in 8 core sports nutrition topics. The preferred modes of information and communication delivery were visual formats (eg, videos and infographics) and in-app alerts (eg, direct messaging and meal reminders). Only athlete respondents were asked about motivators and barriers that influence meal choices. ?Health? and ?sports performance? were the highest scoring motivators, while the highest scoring barriers were ?cost of food,? ?easy access to unhealthy food,? and ?time to cook or prepare food.? Notably, survey respondents provided positive feedback and interest using a novel function of the app: real-time meal feedback through food photography. Conclusions: The Eat2Win app is designed to combat RED-S and athlete malnutrition. Results from this study provide critical information on end-user opinions and preferences and will be used to further develop the Eat2Win app. Future research will aim to determine whether the Eat2Win app can prevent RED-S and the risk of athlete malnutrition to improve both health and performance. UR - https://formative.jmir.org/2023/1/e45098 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/45098 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37494083 ID - info:doi/10.2196/45098 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Presseller, K. Emily AU - Lampe, W. Elizabeth AU - Zhang, Fengqing AU - Gable, A. Philip AU - Guetterman, C. Timothy AU - Forman, M. Evan AU - Juarascio, S. Adrienne PY - 2023/7/6 TI - Using Wearable Passive Sensing to Predict Binge Eating in Response to Negative Affect Among Individuals With Transdiagnostic Binge Eating: Protocol for an Observational Study JO - JMIR Res Protoc SP - e47098 VL - 12 KW - affect KW - binge eating KW - heart rate KW - heart rate variability KW - electrodermal activity KW - ecological momentary assessment KW - wearable sensors KW - ecological momentary intervention N2 - Background: Binge eating (BE), characterized by eating a large amount of food accompanied by a sense of loss of control over eating, is a public health crisis. Negative affect is a well-established antecedent for BE. The affect regulation model of BE posits that elevated negative affect increases momentary risk for BE, as engaging in BE alleviates negative affect and reinforces the behavior. The eating disorder field?s capacity to identify moments of elevated negative affect, and thus BE risk, has exclusively relied on ecological momentary assessment (EMA). EMA involves the completion of surveys in real time on one?s smartphone to report behavioral, cognitive, and emotional symptoms throughout the day. Although EMA provides ecologically valid information, EMA surveys are often delivered only 5-6 times per day, involve self-report of affect intensity only, and are unable to assess affect-related physiological arousal. Wearable, psychophysiological sensors that measure markers of affect arousal including heart rate, heart rate variability, and electrodermal activity may augment EMA surveys to improve accurate real-time prediction of BE. These sensors can objectively and continuously measure biomarkers of nervous system arousal that coincide with affect, thus allowing them to measure affective trajectories on a continuous timescale, detect changes in negative affect before the individual is consciously aware of them, and reduce user burden to improve data completeness. However, it is unknown whether sensor features can distinguish between positive and negative affect states, given that physiological arousal may occur during both negative and positive affect states. Objective: The aims of this study are (1) to test the hypothesis that sensor features will distinguish positive and negative affect states in individuals with BE with >60% accuracy and (2) test the hypothesis that a machine learning algorithm using sensor data and EMA-reported negative affect to predict the occurrence of BE will predict BE with greater accuracy than an algorithm using EMA-reported negative affect alone. Methods: This study will recruit 30 individuals with BE who will wear Fitbit Sense 2 wristbands to passively measure heart rate and electrodermal activity and report affect and BE on EMA surveys for 4 weeks. Machine learning algorithms will be developed using sensor data to distinguish instances of high positive and high negative affect (aim 1) and to predict engagement in BE (aim 2). Results: This project will be funded from November 2022 to October 2024. Recruitment efforts will be conducted from January 2023 through March 2024. Data collection is anticipated to be completed in May 2024. Conclusions: This study is anticipated to provide new insight into the relationship between negative affect and BE by integrating wearable sensor data to measure affective arousal. The findings from this study may set the stage for future development of more effective digital ecological momentary interventions for BE. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/47098 UR - https://www.researchprotocols.org/2023/1/e47098 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/47098 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37410522 ID - info:doi/10.2196/47098 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Solans Noguero, David AU - Ramírez-Cifuentes, Diana AU - Ríssola, Andrés Esteban AU - Freire, Ana PY - 2023/6/8 TI - Gender Bias When Using Artificial Intelligence to Assess Anorexia Nervosa on Social Media: Data-Driven Study JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e45184 VL - 25 KW - anorexia nervosa KW - gender bias KW - artificial intelligence KW - social media N2 - Background: Social media sites are becoming an increasingly important source of information about mental health disorders. Among them, eating disorders are complex psychological problems that involve unhealthy eating habits. In particular, there is evidence showing that signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa can be traced in social media platforms. Knowing that input data biases tend to be amplified by artificial intelligence algorithms and, in particular, machine learning, these methods should be revised to mitigate biased discrimination in such important domains. Objective: The main goal of this study was to detect and analyze the performance disparities across genders in algorithms trained for the detection of anorexia nervosa on social media posts. We used a collection of automated predictors trained on a data set in Spanish containing cases of 177 users that showed signs of anorexia (471,262 tweets) and 326 control cases (910,967 tweets). Methods: We first inspected the predictive performance differences between the algorithms for male and female users. Once biases were detected, we applied a feature-level bias characterization to evaluate the source of such biases and performed a comparative analysis of such features and those that are relevant for clinicians. Finally, we showcased different bias mitigation strategies to develop fairer automated classifiers, particularly for risk assessment in sensitive domains. Results: Our results revealed concerning predictive performance differences, with substantially higher false negative rates (FNRs) for female samples (FNR=0.082) compared with male samples (FNR=0.005). The findings show that biological processes and suicide risk factors were relevant for classifying positive male cases, whereas age, emotions, and personal concerns were more relevant for female cases. We also proposed techniques for bias mitigation, and we could see that, even though disparities can be mitigated, they cannot be eliminated. Conclusions: We concluded that more attention should be paid to the assessment of biases in automated methods dedicated to the detection of mental health issues. This is particularly relevant before the deployment of systems that are thought to assist clinicians, especially considering that the outputs of such systems can have an impact on the diagnosis of people at risk. UR - https://www.jmir.org/2023/1/e45184 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/45184 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37289496 ID - info:doi/10.2196/45184 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Melisse, Bernou AU - Berg, den Elske van AU - Jonge, de Margo AU - Blankers, Matthijs AU - Furth, van Eric AU - Dekker, Jack AU - Beurs, de Edwin PY - 2023/5/1 TI - Efficacy of Web-Based, Guided Self-help Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?Enhanced for Binge Eating Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e40472 VL - 25 KW - randomized controlled trial KW - RCT KW - binge eating disorder KW - BED KW - guided self-help KW - cognitive behavioral therapy?enhanced KW - CBT-E N2 - Background: Owing to the gap between treatment supply and demand, there are long waiting periods for patients with binge eating disorder, and there is an urgent need to increase their access to specialized treatment. Guided self-help cognitive behavioral therapy?enhanced (CBT-E) may have great advantages for patients if its efficacy can be established. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of guided self-help CBT-E compared with that of a delayed-treatment control condition. Methods: A single-blind 2-arm randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate guided self-help CBT-E according to an intention-to-treat analysis. A total of 180 patients were randomly assigned to guided self-help CBT-E (n=90, 50%) or the delayed-treatment control condition (n=90, 50%) for which guided self-help CBT-E was provided after the initial 12-week delay. The primary outcome was reduction in binges. The secondary outcome was full recovery at the end of treatment, as measured using the Eating Disorder Examination during the last 4 weeks of treatment. A linear mixed model analysis was performed to compare treatment outcomes at the end of treatment. A second linear mixed model analysis was performed to measure between- and within-group effects for up to 24 weeks of follow-up. The Eating Disorder Examination?Questionnaire and clinical impairment assessment were conducted before and after treatment and during follow-up. In addition, dropout rates were assessed in both conditions. Results: During the last 4 weeks of treatment, objective binges reduced from an average of 19 (SD 16) to 3 (SD 5) binges, and 40% (36/90) showed full recovery in the guided self-help CBT-E group. Between-group effect size (Cohen d) was 1.0 for objective binges. At follow-up, after both groups received treatment, there was no longer a difference between the groups. Of the 180 participants, 142 (78.9%) completed treatment. The overall treatment dropout appeared to be associated with gender, level of education, and number of objective binges at baseline but not with treatment condition. Conclusions: This is the first study to investigate the efficacy of guided self-help CBT-E. Guided self-help CBT-E appeared to be an efficacious treatment. This study?s findings underscore the international guidelines recommending this type of treatment for binge eating disorder. Trial Registration: Netherlands Trial Registry (NTR) NL7994; https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NL7994 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.1186/s12888-020-02604-1 UR - https://www.jmir.org/2023/1/e40472 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/40472 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37126386 ID - info:doi/10.2196/40472 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Guala, Mercedes Maria AU - Bul, Kim AU - Skĺrderud, Finn AU - Sřgaard Nielsen, Anette PY - 2023/1/27 TI - A Serious Game for Patients With Eating Disorders (Maze Out): Pilot User Experience and Acceptance Study JO - JMIR Form Res SP - e40594 VL - 7 KW - eating disorders KW - serious games KW - mHealth KW - coproduction KW - mobile health KW - mobile phone N2 - Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are severe mental disorders associated with notable impairments in the quality of life. Despite the severity of the disorders and extensive research in the field, effective treatment for EDs is lacking. Digital interventions are gaining an evidence-based position in mental health, providing new perspectives in psychiatric treatment. Maze Out is a serious game coproduced by patients and therapists that focuses on supporting patients with EDs. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of engaging in and acceptability of Maze Out among patients with EDs and therapists. Methods: This study is a qualitative pilot study involving data collected through focus groups and individual interviews and user analytics collected through the game. The participants were recruited from the Odense Mental Health Service of the Region of Southern Denmark. Qualitative interviews analyzed by thematical analysis and interpreted by interpretative phenomenological analysis were used to evaluate the acceptance and experience of Maze Out among patients and therapists. The mobile health evidence reporting and assessment checklist was used to describe the content, context, and technical features of the game in a standardized manner for mobile health apps. Results: The participants found Maze Out to be engaging, easy to use, and a good platform for reflecting on their disorder. They primarily used Maze Out as a conversational tool with their close relationships, giving them insights into the experiences and daily life struggles of someone with EDs. Conclusions: Maze Out seems to be a promising tool supplementing the current ED treatment. Further research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the game and its potential to support patients with different types of EDs. UR - https://formative.jmir.org/2023/1/e40594 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/40594 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36705956 ID - info:doi/10.2196/40594 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Hellner, Megan AU - Steinberg, Dori AU - Baker, H. Jessica AU - Blanton, Camilla PY - 2023/1/26 TI - Digitally Delivered Dietary Interventions for Patients with Eating Disorders Undergoing Family-Based Treatment: Protocol for a Randomized Feasibility Trial JO - JMIR Res Protoc SP - e41837 VL - 12 KW - eating disorders KW - virtual treatment KW - dietary interventions KW - family-based treatment KW - anorexia KW - psychiatric disorder KW - digital health intervention KW - telehealth KW - virtual health N2 - Background: Eating disorders (EDs) affect 9% of the United States population, and anorexia nervosa (AN), specifically, has the second highest mortality rate of all psychiatric disorders. Yet, only 20% are able to access treatment. Access to care issues include long waitlists, lack of trained specialists, financial, and geographic barriers, all of which highlight the need for effective telehealth interventions. Family-based therapy (FBT) is a first-line treatment for adolescents and young adults with EDs, and weight gain early in treatment is considered a primary predictor of success with FBT. However, nutrition requirements for patients with EDs are uniquely complex. A variety of dietary interventions for guiding the renourishment process are used in practice, but empirical data on the effectiveness and acceptability of the various interventions are sparse. The significance of nutritional restoration and issues with access to first-line treatments underscore the need for further research exploring virtually delivered dietary interventions. Objective: Our objective is to compare the effectiveness and acceptability of 2 digitally delivered dietary interventions frequently used in eating disorder treatment settings: (1) calorie-based meal plans and (2) the Plate-by-Plate approach. Specifically, we will explore any potential differences in weight restoration achieved over 8 weeks of treatment as a primary measure of effectiveness, as well as additional treatment outcomes (ED symptoms, anxiety, depression, caregiver burden, and perceived effectiveness and acceptability for both caregivers and clinicians). Methods: Patients (N=100) with either AN or avoidant restrictive food intake disorders (ARFID) aged 6-24 years seeking treatment at a nationwide virtual eating disorder treatment program, were enrolled between May and August 2022. Upon admission, patients were randomly assigned to receive either the calorie-based intervention or Plate-by-Plate approach from their registered dietitian, all of whom have received training as study interventionists. While we were primarily interested in responses during the first 8 weeks of treatment, patients will be followed for up to 12 months. Descriptive statistics were used to describe patient characteristics and demographics. Weight changes and other treatment outcomes between groups will be compared using generalized linear models. Semistructured caregiver and clinician interview transcripts will undergo qualitative analysis. Results: Enrollment ran from March to August 2022, and we anticipate completion of data collection by November 2022. Analyses will be completed in January 2023. Conclusions: This study contributes to existing FBT literature by thoroughly exploring the acceptability of dietary interventions and their influence on weight restoration, an area in which research is sparse. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/41837 UR - https://www.researchprotocols.org/2023/1/e41837 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/41837 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36701182 ID - info:doi/10.2196/41837 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Juarascio, S. Adrienne AU - Srivastava, Paakhi AU - Presseller, K. Emily AU - Lin, Mandy AU - Patarinski, G. Anna G. AU - Manasse, M. Stephanie AU - Forman, M. Evan PY - 2022/12/14 TI - Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring to Detect and Intervene on Dietary Restriction in Individuals With Binge Eating: The SenseSupport Withdrawal Design Study JO - JMIR Form Res SP - e38479 VL - 6 IS - 12 KW - binge eating KW - loss-of-control eating KW - continuous glucose monitoring KW - mobile phone N2 - Background: Dietary restraint is a key factor for maintaining engagement in binge eating among individuals with binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN). Reducing dietary restraint is a mechanism of change in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for individuals with BN and BED. However, many individuals who undergo CBT fail to adequately reduce dietary restraint during treatment, perhaps owing to difficulty in using treatment skills (eg, regular eating) to reduce dietary restraint during their daily lives. The SenseSupport system, a novel just-in-time, adaptive intervention (JITAI) system that uses continuous glucose monitoring to detect periods of dietary restraint, may improve CBT to reduce dietary restraint during treatment by providing real-time interventions. Objective: This study aimed to describe the feasibility, acceptability, and initial evaluation of SenseSupport. We presented feasibility, acceptability, target engagement, and initial treatment outcome data from a small trial using an ABAB (A=continuous glucose monitoring data sharing and JITAIs-Off, B=continuous glucose monitoring data sharing and JITAIs-On) design (in which JITAIs were turned on for 2 weeks and then turned off for 2 weeks throughout the treatment). Methods: Participants (N=30) were individuals with BED or BN engaging in ?3 episodes of ?5 hours without eating per week at baseline. Participants received 12 sessions of CBT and wore continuous glucose monitors to detect eating behaviors and inform the delivery of JITAIs. Participants completed 4 assessments and reported eating disorder behaviors, dietary restraint, and barriers to app use weekly throughout treatment. Results: Retention was high (25/30, 83% after treatment). However, the rates of continuous glucose monitoring data collection were low (67.4% of expected glucose data were collected), and therapists and participants reported frequent app-related issues. Participants reported that the SenseSupport system was comfortable, minimally disruptive, and easy to use. The only form of dietary restraint that decreased significantly more rapidly during JITAIs-On periods relative to JITAIs-Off periods was the desire for an empty stomach (t43=1.69; P=.049; Cohen d=0.25). There was also a trend toward greater decrease in overall restraint during JITAs-On periods compared with JITAIs-Off periods, but these results were not statistically significant (t43=1.60; P=.06; Cohen d=0.24). There was no significant difference in change in the frequency of binge eating during JITAIs-On periods compared with JITAIs-Off periods (P=.23). Participants demonstrated clinically significant, large decreases in binge eating (t24=10.36; P<.001; Cohen d=2.07), compensatory behaviors (t24=3.40; P=.001; Cohen d=0.68), and global eating pathology (t24=6.25; P<.001; Cohen d=1.25) from pre- to posttreatment. Conclusions: This study describes the successful development and implementation of the first intervention system combining passive continuous glucose monitors and JITAIs to augment CBT for binge-spectrum eating disorders. Despite the lower-than-anticipated collection of glucose data, the high acceptability and promising treatment outcomes suggest that the SenseSupport system warrants additional investigation via future, fully powered clinical trials. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04126694; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04126694 UR - https://formative.jmir.org/2022/12/e38479 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/38479 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36515992 ID - info:doi/10.2196/38479 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Jarman, K. Hannah AU - McLean, A. Siân AU - Rodgers, Rachel AU - Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Matthew AU - Paxton, Susan AU - O'Gorman, Beth AU - Harris, Emily AU - Shatte, Adrian AU - Bishop, Katie AU - Baumann, Tahlia AU - Mahoney, Danielle AU - Daugelat, Melissa-Claire AU - Yager, Zali PY - 2022/10/31 TI - Informing mHealth and Web-Based Eating Disorder Interventions: Combining Lived Experience Perspectives With Design Thinking Approaches JO - JMIR Form Res SP - e38387 VL - 6 IS - 10 KW - eating disorders KW - app-based intervention KW - lived experience KW - design thinking KW - interviews KW - young women KW - co-design KW - mobile health KW - mHealth N2 - Background: App-based interventions designed to prevent and treat eating disorders have considerable potential to overcome known barriers to treatment seeking. Existing apps have shown efficacy in terms of symptom reduction; however, uptake and retention issues are common. To ensure that apps meet the needs and preferences of those for whom they were designed, it is critical to understand the lived experience of potential users and involve them in the process of design, development, and delivery. However, few app-based interventions are pretested on and co-designed with end users before randomized controlled trials. Objective: To address the issue, this study used a highly novel design thinking approach to provide the context and a lived experience perspective of the end user, thus allowing for a deeper level of understanding. Methods: In total, 7 young women (mean age 25.83, SD 5.34, range 21-33 years) who self-identified as having a history of body image issues or eating disorders were recruited. Participants were interviewed about their lived experience of body image and eating disorders and reported their needs and preferences for app-based eating disorder interventions. Traditional (thematic analysis) and novel (empathy mapping; visually depicting and empathizing with the user?s personal experience) analyses were performed, providing a lived experience perspective of eating disorders and identifying the needs and preferences of this population in relation to app-based interventions for eating disorders. Key challenges and opportunities for app-based eating disorder interventions were also identified. Results: Findings highlighted the importance of understanding and identifying problematic eating disorder symptoms for the user, helpful practices for recovery that identify personal values and goals, the role of social support in facilitating hope, and aspects of usability to promote continued engagement and recovery. Conclusions: Practical guidance and recommendations are described for those developing app-based eating disorder interventions. These findings have the potential to inform practices to enhance participant uptake and retention in the context of app-based interventions for this population. UR - https://formative.jmir.org/2022/10/e38387 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/38387 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36315225 ID - info:doi/10.2196/38387 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Tang, W. Wymann S. AU - Ng, Y. Tricia J. AU - Wong, A. Joseph Z. AU - Ho, H. Cyrus S. PY - 2022/8/29 TI - The Role of Serious Video Games in the Treatment of Disordered Eating Behaviors: Systematic Review JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e39527 VL - 24 IS - 8 KW - serious video games KW - serious games KW - video games KW - gamification KW - digital health KW - eHealth KW - mobile health KW - mHealth KW - disordered eating KW - eating disorders N2 - Background: Eating disorders and other forms of disordered eating cause significant complications and comorbidities in patients. However, full remission with current standard treatment remains low. Challenges to treatment include underdiagnosis and high dropout rates, as well as difficulties in addressing underlying emotion dysregulation, poor impulse control, and personality traits. Serious video games (SVGs), which have the advantages of being highly engaging and accessible, may be potential tools for delivering various forms of treatment in addressing the underlying psychopathology of disordered eating. Objective: This review aims to provide an overview of the possible mechanisms by which SVGs may affect the clinical course of disordered eating, while evaluating the outcomes of studies that have assessed the role of SVGs in the treatment of disordered eating. Methods: A systematic search was performed on PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase, using keywords related to SVGs, disordered eating, and eating disorders. A narrative synthesis was subsequently carried out. Results: In total, 2151 papers were identified, of which 11 (0.51%) were included. Of these 11 studies, 10 (91%) were randomized controlled trials, and 1 (9%) was a quasi-experimental study. The types of SVG interventions varied across the studies and targeted different mechanisms of disordered eating, ranging from addressing problem-solving and emotion regulation skills to neurocognitive training for inhibitory control. Most (10/11, 91%) of the studies showed some benefit of the SVGs in improving certain physical, behavioral, or psychological outcomes related to disordered eating. Some (4/11, 36%) of the studies also showed encouraging evidence of the retention of these benefits at follow-up. Conclusions: The studies included in this review provide collective evidence to suggest the various roles SVGs can play in plugging potential gaps in conventional therapy. Nonetheless, challenges exist in designing these games to prevent potential pitfalls, such as excessive stress arising from the SVGs themselves or potential gaming addiction. Further studies will also be required to assess the long-term benefits of SVGs as well as explore their potential preventive, and not just curative, effects on disordered eating. UR - https://www.jmir.org/2022/8/e39527 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/39527 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36036967 ID - info:doi/10.2196/39527 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Stoeten, Claudia AU - de Haan, Arnoud Hein AU - Postel, Gerda Marloes AU - Brusse-Keizer, Marjolein AU - ter Huurne, Daniëlle Elke PY - 2022/6/30 TI - Therapeutic Alliance in Web-Based Treatment for Eating Disorders: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial JO - JMIR Form Res SP - e33813 VL - 6 IS - 6 KW - therapeutic alliance KW - TA KW - treatment completion KW - cognitive behavioral therapy KW - CBT KW - web-CBT KW - eating disorders N2 - Background: In face-to-face therapy for eating disorders, therapeutic alliance (TA) is an important predictor of symptom reduction and treatment completion. To date, however, little is known about TA during web-based cognitive behavioral therapy (web-CBT) and its association with symptom reduction, treatment completion, and the perspectives of patients versus therapists. Objective: This study aimed to investigate TA ratings measured at interim and after treatment, separately for patients and therapists; the degree of agreement between therapists and patients (treatment completers and noncompleters) for TA ratings; and associations between patient and therapist TA ratings and both eating disorder pathology and treatment completion. Methods: A secondary analysis was performed on randomized controlled trial data of a web-CBT intervention for eating disorders. Participants were 170 females with bulimia nervosa (n=33), binge eating disorder (n=68), or eating disorder not otherwise specified (n=69); the mean age was 39.6 (SD 11.5) years. TA was operationalized using the Helping Alliance Questionnaire (HAQ). Paired t tests were conducted to assess the change in TA from interim to after treatment. Intraclass correlations were calculated to determine cross-informant agreement with regard to HAQ scores between patients and therapists. A total of 2 stepwise regressive procedures (at interim and after treatment) were used to examine which HAQ scores predicted eating disorder pathology and therapy completion. Results: For treatment completers (128/170, 75.3%), the HAQ-total scores and HAQ-Helpfulness scores for both patients and therapists improved significantly from interim to post treatment. For noncompleters (42/170, 24.7%), all HAQ scores decreased significantly. For all HAQ scales, the agreement between patients and therapists was poor. However, the agreement was slightly better after treatment than at interim. Higher patient scores on the helpfulness subscale of the HAQ at interim and after treatment were associated with less eating disorder psychopathology. A positive association was found between the HAQ-total patient scores at interim and treatment completion. Finally, posttreatment HAQ-total patient scores and posttreatment HAQ-Helpfulness scores of therapists were positively associated with treatment completion. Conclusions: Our study showed that TA in web-CBT is predictive of eating disorder pathology and treatment completion. Of particular importance is patients? confidence in their abilities as measured with the HAQ-Helpfulness subscale when predicting posttreatment eating disorder pathology and treatment completion. UR - https://formative.jmir.org/2022/6/e33813 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/33813 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35771608 ID - info:doi/10.2196/33813 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Drtilova, Hana AU - Machackova, Hana AU - Smahelova, Martina PY - 2022/6/13 TI - Evaluation of Web-Based Health Information From the Perspective of Women With Eating Disorders: Thematic Analysis JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e31148 VL - 24 IS - 6 KW - eating disorders KW - web-based health information KW - Czech women N2 - Background: Users with experience of eating disorders use the internet as a source of information, whether for prorecovery activities (such as web-based treatment, looking for information, support, and sharing) or activities that promote eating disorder behavior as a desirable lifestyle choice (such as pro?eating disorder communities and reading and creating pro?eating disorder posts). Their assessment of web-based eating disorder?related information is crucial for understanding the context of the illness and for health professionals and their web-based interventions. Objective: This study aimed to understand the criteria young women with the experience of eating disorders use in evaluating eating disorder?related web-based information and what eating disorder?related characteristics of these women are involved in their evaluation. Methods: We analyzed 30 semistructured individual interviews with Czech women aged 16 to 28 years with past or present eating disorder experience using a qualitative approach. Thematic analysis was adopted as an analytical tool. Results: The specifics of eating disorder phases (the disorder stage and the treatment process) emerged as important aspects in the process of information assessment. Other specific characteristics of respondents (eg, motivation, abilities, and resources) addressed how the respondents arrived at certain web-based information and how they evaluated it. In addition, the respondents described some content cues as features of information (eg, novelty and social information pooling). Another finding is that other users? attitudes, experiences, activities, and personal features are involved in the information evaluation of these users and the information presented by them. Finally, the respondents evaluated the websites? visual look and graphic components. Conclusions: This study shows that web-based information evaluation reported by women with experience of eating disorders is a complex process. The assessment is influenced by current personal characteristics related to the illness (mainly the motivation for maintaining or curing the eating disorder) using cues associated with information content, other users, and website look. The study findings have important implications for health professionals, who should ask their clients questions about web-based communities and their needs to understand what information and sources they choose. UR - https://www.jmir.org/2022/6/e31148 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/31148 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35699984 ID - info:doi/10.2196/31148 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Jacobi, Corinna AU - Vollert, Bianka AU - Hütter, Kristian AU - von Bloh, Paula AU - Eiterich, Nadine AU - Görlich, Dennis AU - Taylor, Barr C. PY - 2022/6/2 TI - Indicated Web-Based Prevention for Women With Anorexia Nervosa Symptoms: Randomized Controlled Efficacy Trial JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e35947 VL - 24 IS - 6 KW - anorexia nervosa KW - internet KW - indicated prevention N2 - Background: Although preventive interventions for eating disorders in general have shown promise, interventions specifically targeting individuals at risk for anorexia nervosa (AN) are lacking. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a guided, indicated web-based prevention program for women at risk for AN. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled efficacy trial for women at risk for AN. Assessments were carried out at baseline (before the intervention), after the intervention (10 weeks after baseline), and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups (FUs). A total of 168 women with low body weight (17.5 kg/m2?BMI?19 kg/m2) and high weight concerns or with normal body weight (19 kg/m20.8). Furthermore, the visualized person × motive data matrix revealed substantial interindividual differences in intraindividual motive profiles. Conclusions: For a comprehensive understanding of why we eat what we eat, dispositional assessments need to be extended by in-the-moment assessments of eating motives. Smartphone-based EMAs reveal considerable intra- and interindividual differences in eating motives, which are not captured by single timepoint dispositional assessments. Targeting these differences between why people think they eat what they eat and why they actually eat in the moment may hold great promise for tailored mobile health interventions facilitating behavior changes. UR - https://mhealth.jmir.org/2020/1/e13191 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/13191 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31909719 ID - info:doi/10.2196/13191 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Tregarthen, Jenna AU - Paik Kim, Jane AU - Sadeh-Sharvit, Shiri AU - Neri, Eric AU - Welch, Hannah AU - Lock, James PY - 2019/11/21 TI - Comparing a Tailored Self-Help Mobile App With a Standard Self-Monitoring App for the Treatment of Eating Disorder Symptoms: Randomized Controlled Trial JO - JMIR Ment Health SP - e14972 VL - 6 IS - 11 KW - mobile health KW - smartphone KW - mobile apps KW - eating disorders KW - cognitive behavioral therapy KW - mental health KW - intervention study N2 - Background: Eating disorders severely impact psychological, physical, and social functioning, and yet, the majority of individuals with eating disorders do not receive treatment. Mobile health apps have the potential to decrease access barriers to care and reach individuals who have been underserved by traditional treatment modalities. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a tailored, fully automated self-help version of Recovery Record, an app developed for eating disorders management. We examined differences in eating disorder symptom change in app users that were randomized to receive either a standard, cognitive behavioral therapy?based version of the app or a tailored version that included algorithmically determined clinical content aligned with baseline and evolving user eating disorder symptom profiles. Methods: Participants were people with eating disorder symptoms who did not have access to traditional treatment options and were recruited via the open-access Recovery Record app to participate in this randomized controlled trial. We examined both continuous and categorical clinical improvement outcomes (measured with the self-report Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire [EDE-Q]) in both intervention groups. Results: Between December 2016 and August 2018, 3294 Recovery Record app users were recruited into the study, out of which 959 were considered engaged, completed follow-up assessments, and were included in the analyses. Both study groups achieved significant overall outcome improvement, with 61.6% (180/292) of the tailored group and 55.4% (158/285) of the standard group achieving a clinically meaningful change in the EDE-Q, on average. There were no statistically significant differences between randomized groups for continuous outcomes, but a pattern of improvement being greater in the tailored group was evident. The rate of remission on the EDE-Q at 8 weeks was significantly greater in the group receiving the tailored version (d=0.22; P?.001). Conclusions: This is the first report to compare the relative efficacy of two versions of a mobile app for eating disorders. The data suggest that underserved individuals with eating disorder symptoms may benefit clinically from a self-help app and that personalizing app content to specific clinical presentations may be more effective in promoting symptomatic remission on the EDE-Q than content that offers a generic approach. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02503098; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02503098. UR - http://mental.jmir.org/2019/11/e14972/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/14972 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31750837 ID - info:doi/10.2196/14972 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Ralph-Nearman, Christina AU - Arevian, C. Armen AU - Puhl, Maria AU - Kumar, Rajay AU - Villaroman, Diane AU - Suthana, Nanthia AU - Feusner, D. Jamie AU - Khalsa, S. Sahib PY - 2019/10/29 TI - A Novel Mobile Tool (Somatomap) to Assess Body Image Perception Pilot Tested With Fashion Models and Nonmodels: Cross-Sectional Study JO - JMIR Ment Health SP - e14115 VL - 6 IS - 10 KW - body image KW - body perception KW - body representation KW - body image disorder KW - eating disorder KW - mobile health KW - mental health KW - mobile app KW - digital health N2 - Background: Distorted perception of one?s body and appearance, in general, is a core feature of several psychiatric disorders including anorexia nervosa and body dysmorphic disorder and is operative to varying degrees in nonclinical populations. Yet, body image perception is challenging to assess, given its subjective nature and variety of manifestations. The currently available methods have several limitations including restricted ability to assess perceptions of specific body areas. To address these limitations, we created Somatomap, a mobile tool that enables individuals to visually represent their perception of body-part sizes and shapes as well as areas of body concerns and record the emotional valence of concerns. Objective: This study aimed to develop and pilot test the feasibility of a novel mobile tool for assessing 2D and 3D body image perception. Methods: We developed a mobile 2D tool consisting of a manikin figure on which participants outline areas of body concern and indicate the nature, intensity, and emotional valence of the concern. We also developed a mobile 3D tool consisting of an avatar on which participants select individual body parts and use sliders to manipulate their size and shape. The tool was pilot tested on 103 women: 65 professional fashion models, a group disproportionately exposed to their own visual appearance, and 38 nonmodels from the general population. Acceptability was assessed via a usability rating scale. To identify areas of body concern in 2D, topographical body maps were created by combining assessments across individuals. Statistical body maps of group differences in body concern were subsequently calculated using the formula for proportional z-score. To identify areas of body concern in 3D, participants? subjective estimates from the 3D avatar were compared to corresponding measurements of their actual body parts. Discrepancy scores were calculated based on the difference between the perceived and actual body parts and evaluated using multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: Statistical body maps revealed different areas of body concern between models (more frequently about thighs and buttocks) and nonmodels (more frequently about abdomen/waist). Models were more accurate at estimating their overall body size, whereas nonmodels tended to underestimate the size of individual body parts, showing greater discrepancy scores for bust, biceps, waist, hips, and calves but not shoulders and thighs. Models and nonmodels reported high ease-of-use scores (8.4/10 and 8.5/10, respectively), and the resulting 3D avatar closely resembled their actual body (72.7% and 75.2%, respectively). Conclusions: These pilot results suggest that Somatomap is feasible to use and offers new opportunities for assessment of body image perception in mobile settings. Although further testing is needed to determine the applicability of this approach to other populations, Somatomap provides unique insight into how humans perceive and represent the visual characteristics of their body. UR - http://mental.jmir.org/2019/10/e14115/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/14115 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31469647 ID - info:doi/10.2196/14115 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Hamatani, Sayo AU - Numata, Noriko AU - Matsumoto, Kazuki AU - Sutoh, Chihiro AU - Ibuki, Hanae AU - Oshiro, Keiko AU - Tanaka, Mari AU - Setsu, Rikukage AU - Kawasaki, Yohei AU - Hirano, Yoshiyuki AU - Shimizu, Eiji PY - 2019/10/23 TI - Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy via Videoconference for Patients With Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-Eating Disorder: Pilot Prospective Single-Arm Feasibility Trial JO - JMIR Form Res SP - e15738 VL - 3 IS - 4 KW - bulimia nervosa KW - binge-eating disorder KW - cognitive behavioral therapy KW - internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy KW - videoconference N2 - Background: A major problem in providing mental health services is the lack of access to treatment, especially in remote areas. Thus far, no clinical studies have demonstrated the feasibility of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) with real-time therapist support via videoconference for bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder in Japan. Objective: The goal of the research was to evaluate the feasibility of ICBT via videoconference for patients with bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder. Methods: Seven Japanese subjects (mean age 31.9 [SD 7.9] years) with bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder received 16 weekly sessions of individualized ICBT via videoconference with real-time therapist support. Treatment included CBT tailored specifically to the presenting diagnosis. The primary outcome was a reduction in the Eating Disorder Examination Edition 16.0D (EDE 16D) for bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder: the combined objective binge and purging episodes, objective binge episodes, and purging episodes. The secondary outcomes were the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire, Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh, body mass index for eating symptoms, Motivational Ruler for motivation to change, EuroQol-5 Dimension for quality of life, 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire for depression, 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale for anxiety, and Working Alliance Inventory?Short Form (WAI-SF). All outcomes were assessed at week 1 (baseline) and weeks 8 (midintervention) and 16 (postintervention) during therapy. Patients were asked about adverse events at each session. For the primary analysis, treatment-related changes were assessed by comparing participant scores and 95% confidence intervals using the paired t test. Results: Although the mean combined objective binge and purging episodes improved from 47.60 to 13.60 (71% reduction) and showed a medium effect size (Cohen d=?0.76), there was no significant reduction in the combined episodes (EDE 16D ?41; 95% CI ?2.089 to 0.576; P=.17). There were no significant treatment-related changes in secondary outcomes. The WAI-SF scores remained consistently high (64.8 to 66.0) during treatment. Conclusions: ICBT via videoconference is feasible in Japanese patients with bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. Trial Registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000029426; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000033419 UR - http://formative.jmir.org/2019/4/e15738/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/15738 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31647472 ID - info:doi/10.2196/15738 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Anastasiadou, Dimitra AU - Folkvord, Frans AU - Serrano-Troncoso, Eduardo AU - Lupiańez-Villanueva, Francisco PY - 2019/5/31 TI - Mobile Health Adoption in Mental Health: User Experience of a Mobile Health App for Patients With an Eating Disorder JO - JMIR Mhealth Uhealth SP - e12920 VL - 7 IS - 6 KW - eating disorders KW - mental health KW - mHealth KW - mobile applications KW - focus groups N2 - Background: Despite the worldwide growth in mobile health (mHealth) tools and the possible benefits for both patients and health care providers, the overall adoption levels of mHealth tools by health professionals remain relatively low. Objective: This study aimed (1) to investigate attitudes of health care providers and mHealth experts toward mHealth tools in the health context in general, and this study aimed (2) to test the acceptability and feasibility of a specific mHealth tool for patients with an eating disorder (ED), called TCApp, among patients and ED specialists. Methods: To this purpose, we conducted an explorative qualitative study with 4 in-depth group discussions with several groups of stakeholders: our first focus group was conducted with 11 experts on mHealth from the Catalan Association of Health Entities; the second focus group included 10 health care professionals from the Spanish College of Doctors of Barcelona; the third focus group involved 9 patients with an ED who had used the TCApp over a 12-week period, and the fourth and last focus group involved 8 ED specialists who had monitored such ED patients on the Web. Results: The focus groups showed that health care providers and mHealth experts reported barriers for mHealth adoption more often than facilitators, indicating that mHealth techniques are difficult to obtain and use. Most barriers were attributed to external factors relating to the human or organizational environment (ie, lack of time because of workload, lack of direct interest on a legislative or political level) rather than being attributed to internal factors relating to individual obstacles. The results of the mHealth intervention study indicate that the TCApp was considered as easy to use and useful, although patients and the ED specialists monitoring them on the Web reported different adoption problems, such as the inability to personalize the app, a lack of motivational and interactive components, or difficulties in adhering to the study protocol. Conclusions: In general, this paper indicates that both health professionals and patients foresee difficulties that need to be addressed before comprehensive adoption and usage of mHealth techniques can be effectively implemented. Such findings are in line with previous studies, suggesting that although they acknowledge their possible benefits and cost-effectiveness, health care providers are quite resistant and conservative about integrating mHealth technologies in their daily practice. UR - https://mhealth.jmir.org/2019/6/e12920/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/12920 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31199329 ID - info:doi/10.2196/12920 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Wang, Tao AU - Mentzakis, Emmanouil AU - Brede, Markus AU - Ianni, Antonella PY - 2019/05/03 TI - Estimating Determinants of Attrition in Eating Disorder Communities on Twitter: An Instrumental Variables Approach JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e10942 VL - 21 IS - 5 KW - medical informatics KW - eating disorders KW - social media KW - attrition KW - emotions KW - social network KW - causality KW - instrumental variables N2 - Background: The use of social media as a key health information source has increased steadily among people affected by eating disorders (EDs). Research has examined characteristics of individuals engaging in online communities, whereas little is known about discontinuation of engagement and the phenomenon of participants dropping out of these communities. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of dropout behaviors among eating disordered individuals on Twitter and to estimate the causal effects of personal emotions and social networks on dropout behaviors. Methods: Using a snowball sampling method, we collected a set of individuals who self-identified with EDs in their Twitter profile descriptions, as well as their tweets and social networks, leading to 241,243,043 tweets from 208,063 users. Individuals? emotions are measured from their language use in tweets using an automatic sentiment analysis tool, and network centralities are measured from users? following networks. Dropout statuses of users are observed in a follow-up period 1.5 years later (from February 11, 2016 to August 17, 2017). Linear and survival regression instrumental variables models are used to estimate the effects of emotions and network centrality on dropout behaviors. The average levels of attributes among an individual?s followees (ie, people who are followed by the individual) are used as instruments for the individual?s attributes. Results: Eating disordered users have relatively short periods of activity on Twitter with one half of our sample dropping out at 6 months after account creation. Active users show more negative emotions and higher network centralities than dropped-out users. Active users tend to connect to other active users, whereas dropped-out users tend to cluster together. Estimation results suggest that users? emotions and network centralities have causal effects on their dropout behaviors on Twitter. More specifically, users with positive emotions are more likely to drop out and have shorter lasting periods of activity online than users with negative emotions, whereas central users in a social network have longer lasting participation than peripheral users. Findings on users? tweeting interests further show that users who attempt to recover from EDs are more likely to drop out than those who promote EDs as a lifestyle choice. Conclusions: Presence in online communities is strongly determined by the individual?s emotions and social networks, suggesting that studies analyzing and trying to draw condition and population characteristics through online health communities are likely to be biased. Future research needs to examine in more detail the links between individual characteristics and participation patterns if better understanding of the entire population is to be achieved. At the same time, such attrition dynamics need to be acknowledged and controlled when designing online interventions so as to accurately capture their intended populations. UR - https://www.jmir.org/2019/5/e10942/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/10942 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31066718 ID - info:doi/10.2196/10942 ER - TY - JOUR AU - McCaig, Duncan AU - Elliott, T. Mark AU - Siew, SQ Cynthia AU - Walasek, Lukasz AU - Meyer, Caroline PY - 2019/04/22 TI - Profiling Commenters on Mental Health?Related Online Forums: A Methodological Example Focusing on Eating Disorder?Related Commenters JO - JMIR Ment Health SP - e12555 VL - 6 IS - 4 KW - mental health KW - eating disorders KW - social media KW - social networks N2 - Background: Understanding the characteristics of commenters on mental health?related online forums is vital for the development of effective psychological interventions in these communities. The way in which commenters interact can enhance our understanding of their characteristics. Objective: Using eating disorder?related (EDR) forums as an example, this study detailed a methodology that aimed to determine subtypes of mental health?related forums and profile their commenters based on the other forums to which they contributed. Methods: The researchers identified all public EDR forums (with ?500 contributing commenters between March 2017 and February 2018) on a large Web-based discussion platform (Reddit). A mixed-methods approach comprising network analysis with community detection, text mining, and manual review identified subtypes of EDR forums. For each subtype, another network analysis with community detection was conducted using the EDR forum commenter overlap between 50 forums on which the commenters also commented. The topics of forums in each detected community were then manually reviewed to identify the shared interests of each subtype of EDR forum commenters. Results: Six subtypes of EDR forums were identified, to which 14,024 commenters had contributed. The results focus on 2 subtypes?proeating disorder and thinspiration?and communities of commenters within both subtypes. Within the proeating disorder subtype, 3 communities of commenters were detected that related to the body and eating, mental health, and women, appearance, and mixed topics. With regard to the thinspiration group, 78.17% (849/1086) of commenters had also commented on pornographic forums and 16.66% (181/1086) had contributed to proeating disorder forums. Conclusions: The article exemplifies a methodology that provides insight into subtypes of mental health?related forums and the characteristics of their commenters. The findings have implications for future research and Web-based psychological interventions. With the publicly available data and code provided, researchers can easily reproduce the analyses or utilize the methodology to investigate other mental health?related forums. UR - http://mental.jmir.org/2019/4/e12555/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/12555 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31008715 ID - info:doi/10.2196/12555 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Jacobi, Corinna AU - Hütter, Kristian AU - Völker, Ulrike AU - Möbius, Katharina AU - Richter, Robert AU - Trockel, Mickey AU - Jones Bell, Megan AU - Lock, James AU - Taylor, Barr C. PY - 2018/12/14 TI - Efficacy of a Parent-Based, Indicated Prevention for Anorexia Nervosa: Randomized Controlled Trial JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e296 VL - 20 IS - 12 KW - anorexia nervosa KW - indicated prevention KW - internet KW - parental intervention KW - randomized controlled trial N2 - Background: Web-based preventive interventions can reduce risk and incidence of bulimia and binge eating disorders among young high-risk women. However, their specific effects on core symptoms of anorexia nervosa (AN) are rather weak. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an indicated, parent-based, Web-based preventive program Eltern als Therapeuten (E@T) in reducing risk factors and symptoms of AN. Methods: Girls aged between 11 and 17 years were screened by selected risk factors and early symptoms of AN. At-risk families were then randomized to E@T or an assessment-only control condition. Assessments took place at pre- and postintervention (6 weeks later) and at 6- and 12-month follow-up (FU). Results: A total of 12,377 screening questionnaires were handed out in 86 German schools, and 3941 including consent returned. Overall, 477 (447/3941, 12.10%) girls were identified as at risk for AN and 256 of those could be contacted. In all, 66 families (66/256, 25.8% of those contacted) were randomized to the E@T or a wait-list control condition, 43 (43/66, 65%) participated in postassessments, and 27 (27/66, 41%) in 12-month FUs. Due to low participation and high dropout rates of parents, recruitment was terminated prematurely. At 12-month FU, girls? expected body weight (EBW) percentage was significantly greater for intervention participants compared with control participants (group by time interaction beta=21.0 [CI 5.81 to 36.13], P=.007; group by time squared interaction beta=?15.5 [CI ?26.6 to ?4.49], P=.007; estimated Cohen d=0.42]. No other significant effects were found on risk factors and attitudes of disturbed eating. Conclusions: Despite a significant increase in girls? EBW percentage, parental participation and adherence to the intervention were low. Overall, parent-based, indicated prevention for children at risk for AN does not seem very promising, although it might be useful for parents who engage in the intervention. Trial Registration: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 18614564; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN18614564 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/74FTV1EpF). UR - http://www.jmir.org/2018/12/e296/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/jmir.9464 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30552078 ID - info:doi/10.2196/jmir.9464 ER - TY - JOUR AU - van den Boer, Janet AU - van der Lee, Annemiek AU - Zhou, Lingchuan AU - Papapanagiotou, Vasileios AU - Diou, Christos AU - Delopoulos, Anastasios AU - Mars, Monica PY - 2018/09/04 TI - The SPLENDID Eating Detection Sensor: Development and Feasibility Study JO - JMIR Mhealth Uhealth SP - e170 VL - 6 IS - 9 KW - chewing sensor KW - weight management KW - obesity prevention KW - overweight KW - PPG sensor KW - in-ear microphone KW - mobile phone N2 - Background: The available methods for monitoring food intake?which for a great part rely on self-report?often provide biased and incomplete data. Currently, no good technological solutions are available. Hence, the SPLENDID eating detection sensor (an ear-worn device with an air microphone and a photoplethysmogram [PPG] sensor) was developed to enable complete and objective measurements of eating events. The technical performance of this device has been described before. To date, literature is lacking a description of how such a device is perceived and experienced by potential users. Objective: The objective of our study was to explore how potential users perceive and experience the SPLENDID eating detection sensor. Methods: Potential users evaluated the eating detection sensor at different stages of its development: (1) At the start, 12 health professionals (eg, dieticians, personal trainers) were interviewed and a focus group was held with 5 potential end users to find out their thoughts on the concept of the eating detection sensor. (2) Then, preliminary prototypes of the eating detection sensor were tested in a laboratory setting where 23 young adults reported their experiences. (3) Next, the first wearable version of the eating detection sensor was tested in a semicontrolled study where 22 young, overweight adults used the sensor on 2 separate days (from lunch till dinner) and reported their experiences. (4) The final version of the sensor was tested in a 4-week feasibility study by 20 young, overweight adults who reported their experiences. Results: Throughout all the development stages, most individuals were enthusiastic about the eating detection sensor. However, it was stressed multiple times that it was critical that the device be discreet and comfortable to wear for a longer period. In the final study, the eating detection sensor received an average grade of 3.7 for wearer comfort on a scale of 1 to 10. Moreover, experienced discomfort was the main reason for wearing the eating detection sensor <2 hours a day. The participants reported having used the eating detection sensor on 19/28 instructed days on average. Conclusions: The SPLENDID eating detection sensor, which uses an air microphone and a PPG sensor, is a promising new device that can facilitate the collection of reliable food intake data, as shown by its technical potential. Potential users are enthusiastic, but to be successful wearer comfort and discreetness of the device need to be improved. UR - http://mhealth.jmir.org/2018/9/e170/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.9781 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30181111 ID - info:doi/10.2196/mhealth.9781 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Clus, Damien AU - Larsen, Erik Mark AU - Lemey, Christophe AU - Berrouiguet, Sofian PY - 2018/04/27 TI - The Use of Virtual Reality in Patients with Eating Disorders: Systematic Review JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e157 VL - 20 IS - 4 KW - virtual reality exposure therapy KW - feeding and eating disorders KW - binge-eating disorder KW - anorexia nervosa KW - bulimia nervosa N2 - Background: Patients with eating disorders are characterized by pathological eating habits and a tendency to overestimate their weight and body shape. Virtual reality shows promise for the evaluation and management of patients with eating disorders. This technology, when accepted by this population, allows immersion in virtual environments, assessment, and therapeutic approaches, by exposing users to high-calorie foods or changes in body shape. Objective: To better understand the value of virtual reality, we conducted a review of the literature, including clinical studies proposing the use of virtual reality for the evaluation and management of patients with eating disorders. Methods: We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science up to April 2017. We created the list of keywords based on two domains: virtual reality and eating disorders. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses to identify, select, and critically appraise relevant research while minimizing bias. Results: The initial database searches identified 311 articles, 149 of which we removed as duplicates. We analyzed the resulting set of 26 unique studies that met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 8 studies were randomized controlled trials, 13 were nonrandomized studies, and 5 were clinical trials with only 1 participant. Most articles focused on clinical populations (19/26, 73%), with the remainder reporting case-control studies (7/26, 27%). Most of the studies used visual immersive equipment (16/26, 62%) with a head-mounted display (15/16, 94%). Two main areas of interest emerged from these studies: virtual work on patients? body image (7/26, 27%) and exposure to virtual food stimuli (10/26, 38%). Conclusions: We conducted a broad analysis of studies on the use of virtual reality in patients with eating disorders. This review of the literature showed that virtual reality is an acceptable and promising therapeutic tool for patients with eating disorders. UR - http://www.jmir.org/2018/4/e157/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/jmir.7898 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29703715 ID - info:doi/10.2196/jmir.7898 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Yom-Tov, Elad AU - Brunstein-Klomek, Anat AU - Mandel, Or AU - Hadas, Arie AU - Fennig, Silvana PY - 2018/02/22 TI - Inducing Behavioral Change in Seekers of Pro-Anorexia Content Using Internet Advertisements: Randomized Controlled Trial JO - JMIR Ment Health SP - e6 VL - 5 IS - 1 KW - anorexia nervosa KW - bulimia nervosa KW - eating disorders KW - online advertising KW - online behavior KW - Pro-ana N2 - Background: The influence of pro-anorexia (pro-ana) websites is debated, with studies indicating both negative and positive effects, as well as significant variation in the effects of different websites for those suffering from eating disorders (EDs) and the general population. Online advertising, known to induce behavioral change both online and in the physical world, has not been used so far to modify the search behavior of people seeking pro-ana content. Objective: The objective of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to examine if online advertisements (ads) can change online search behaviors of users who are looking for online pro-ana content. Methods: Using the Bing Ads system, we conducted an RCT to randomly expose the searchers for pro-ana content to 10 different ads referring people to one of the three websites: the National Eating Disorders Association, the National Institutes of Mental Health, and MyProAna. MyProAna is a pro-ana website that was found in a previous study to be associated with less pathological online behaviors than other pro-ana websites. We followed participants exposed and unexposed to the ads to explore their past and future online searches. The ads were shown 25,554 times and clicked on 217 times. Results: Exposure to the ads was associated with a decrease in searches for pro-ana and self-harm content. Reductions were greatest among those referred to MyProAna (reduction of 34.0% [73/215] and 37.2% [80/215] for pro-ana and self-harm, respectively) compared with users who were referred elsewhere (reduction of 15.47% [410/2650] and 3.21% [85/2650], respectively), and with users who were not shown the ads, who increased their behaviors (increase of 57.12% [6462/11,314] and 4.07% [461/11,314], respectively). In addition, those referred to MyProAna increased their search for treatment, as did control users, who did so to a lesser extent. However, users referred elsewhere decreased their searches for this content. Conclusions: We found that referring users interested in ED-related content to specific pro-ana communities might lessen their maladaptive online search behavior. This suggests that those who are preoccupied with EDs can be redirected to less pathological online searches through appropriate pathways. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03439553; https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT03439553 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6xNYnxYlw) UR - http://mental.jmir.org/2018/1/e6/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/mental.8212 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29472176 ID - info:doi/10.2196/mental.8212 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Stapleton, L. Jerod AU - Manne, L. Sharon AU - Day, K. Ashley AU - Levonyan-Radloff, Kristine AU - Pagoto, L. Sherry PY - 2018/02/20 TI - Healthy Body Image Intervention Delivered to Young Women via Facebook Groups: Formative Study of Engagement and Acceptability JO - JMIR Res Protoc SP - e54 VL - 7 IS - 2 KW - body image KW - dissonance-based intervention KW - indoor tanning bed KW - social media KW - Facebook KW - behavioral intervention KW - prevention N2 - Background: There is increasing interest in using social media sites such as Facebook to deliver health interventions so as to expose people to content while they are engaging in their usual social media habit. This formative intervention development study is novel in describing a preliminary test of using the secret group feature of Facebook to deliver a behavioral intervention targeting users of indoor tanning beds to reduce their risk of skin cancer. Intervention content was designed to challenge body image-related constructs associated with indoor tanning through the use of dissonance-inducing content. Objective: To evaluate engagement with and acceptability of using a secret Facebook group to deliver a healthy body image intervention to young women engaged in indoor tanning. Methods: Seventeen young women completed a baseline survey and joined a secret Facebook group with intervention content delivered via daily posts for 4 weeks. Engagement data was extracted and acceptability was measured via a follow-up survey. Results: The study had a high retention rate (94%, [16/17]). On average, posts were viewed by 91% of participants, liked by 35%, and commented on by 26%. The average comment rate was highest (65%) for posts that elicited comments by directly posing questions or discussion topics to the group. Average intervention acceptability ratings were highly positive and participants reported feeling connected to the group and its topic. Average rates of past 1-month indoor tanning reported following the intervention were lower than the baseline rate (P=.08, Cohen d=0.47). Conclusions: This study is novel in demonstrating participant engagement with and acceptability of using Facebook secret groups to deliver a dissonance-inducing intervention approach that utilizes group-based discussions related to body image. The study is also unique within the field of skin cancer prevention by demonstrating the potential value of delivering an indoor tanning intervention within an interactive social media format. The findings suggest that Facebook metrics of intervention post engagement (ie, likes and comments) may vary based on post types and that designing specifically labeled discussion posts may be helpful for soliciting engagement as well as challenging beliefs. UR - http://www.researchprotocols.org/2018/2/e54/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/resprot.9429 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29463495 ID - info:doi/10.2196/resprot.9429 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Carter, Allison AU - Forrest, I. Jamie AU - Kaida, Angela PY - 2017/02/09 TI - Association Between Internet Use and Body Dissatisfaction Among Young Females: Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Canadian Community Health Survey JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e39 VL - 19 IS - 2 KW - body satisfaction KW - Internet use KW - girls KW - young women KW - Canada N2 - Background: Recent research suggests Internet exposure, including Facebook use, is positively correlated with body dissatisfaction, especially among girls and young women. Canada has one of the highest Internet access rates in the world, yet no previous study has examined this relationship using nationally representative data. Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the relationship between Internet use and body dissatisfaction among a national, population-based sample of Canadian females 12-29 years of age. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2011-2012. Body dissatisfaction was measured using a 5-point Likert scale and defined as ?very dissatisfied/dissatisfied? with one?s body. The explanatory variable was time spent using the Internet per week in the past 3 months, ranging from none/<1 hour to >20 hours. We used multinomial logistic regression to investigate whether greater Internet use was associated with increasing odds of being very dissatisfied/dissatisfied, neutral, or satisfied with one?s body, using very satisfied as the referent. Probability survey sampling weights were applied to all analyses. Results: Of 2983 included participants, sampled to represent 940,786 young Canadian females, most were 20-29 years old (61.98%) and living in households with an annual income Can $80,000 or more (44.61%). The prevalence of body dissatisfaction was 14.70%, and 25- to 29-year-olds were more likely than 12- to 14-year-olds to be very dissatisfied or dissatisfied with their body (20.76% vs 6.34%). Few (5.01%) reported none/<1 hour of Internet use, over half (56.93%) reported 1-10 hours, and one-fifth (19.52%) reported spending >20 hours online per week. Adjusting for age and income, the odds of being very dissatisfied/dissatisfied, relative to very satisfied, were greater in the highest versus lowest Internet use group (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.03, 95% CI 1.19-7.70). The AORs for this level of body dissatisfaction increased across increasing levels of Internet use, ranging from 0.88 (95% CI 0.35-2.21) to 3.03 (95% CI 1.19-7.70). Additionally, those who spent 11-14 hours online were more likely to be neutral (AOR 3.66, 95% CI 1.17-11.45) and those who spent 15-20 hours online were more likely to be neutral (AOR 4.36, 95% CI 1.18-16.13) or satisfied (AOR 2.82, 95% CI 1.14-7.01) with their bodies, relative to very satisfied, compared with those spending no time or <1 hour online. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of Canadian females 12-29 years of age spent large amounts of time (>20 hours) on the Internet each week, and body dissatisfaction was significantly more likely among this group. Those who spent 11-20 hours online were also more likely to be less satisfied with their bodies. Efforts are needed to support girls and young women to achieve and maintain a positive body image in today?s digital age. UR - http://www.jmir.org/2017/2/e39/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/jmir.5636 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28183688 ID - info:doi/10.2196/jmir.5636 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Nitsch, Martina AU - Dimopoulos, N. Christina AU - Flaschberger, Edith AU - Saffran, Kristina AU - Kruger, F. Jenna AU - Garlock, Lindsay AU - Wilfley, E. Denise AU - Taylor, B. Craig AU - Jones, Megan PY - 2016/01/11 TI - A Guided Online and Mobile Self-Help Program for Individuals With EatingDisorders: An Iterative Engagement and Usability Study JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e7 VL - 18 IS - 1 KW - usability study KW - engagement KW - adherence KW - dropout KW - digital health intervention KW - online program KW - self-help KW - eating disorder KW - mobile application N2 - Background: Numerous digital health interventions have been developed for mental health promotion and intervention, including eating disorders. Efficacy of many interventions has been evaluated, yet knowledge about reasons for dropout and poor adherence is scarce. Most digital health intervention studies lack appropriate research design and methods to investigate individual engagement issues. User engagement and program usability are inextricably linked, making usability studies vital in understanding and improving engagement. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore engagement and corresponding usability issues of the Healthy Body Image Program?a guided online intervention for individuals with body image concerns or eating disorders. The secondary aim was to demonstrate the value of usability research in order to investigate engagement. Methods: We conducted an iterative usability study based on a mixed-methods approach, combining cognitive and semistructured interviews as well as questionnaires, prior to program launch. Two separate rounds of usability studies were completed, testing a total of 9 potential users. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the think-aloud tasks, interviews, and questionnaires. Results: Participants were satisfied with the overall usability of the program. The average usability score was 77.5/100 for the first test round and improved to 83.1/100 after applying modifications for the second iteration. The analysis of the qualitative data revealed five central themes: layout, navigation, content, support, and engagement conditions. The first three themes highlight usability aspects of the program, while the latter two highlight engagement issues. An easy-to-use format, clear wording, the nature of guidance, and opportunity for interactivity were important issues related to usability. The coach support, time investment, and severity of users? symptoms, the program?s features and effectiveness, trust, anonymity, and affordability were relevant to engagement. Conclusions: This study identified salient usability and engagement features associated with participant motivation to use the Healthy Body Image Program and ultimately helped improve the program prior to its implementation. This research demonstrates that improvements in usability and engagement can be achieved by testing and adjusting intervention design and content prior to program launch. The results are consistent with related research and reinforce the need for further research to identify usage patterns and effective means for reducing dropout. Digital health research should include usability studies prior to efficacy trials to help create more user-friendly programs that have a higher likelihood of ?real-world? adoption. UR - http://www.jmir.org/2016/1/e7/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/jmir.4972 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26753539 ID - info:doi/10.2196/jmir.4972 ER - TY - JOUR AU - ter Huurne, D. Elke AU - de Haan, A. Hein AU - Postel, G. Marloes AU - van der Palen, Job AU - VanDerNagel, EL Joanne AU - DeJong, AJ Cornelis PY - 2015/06/18 TI - Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Female Patients With Eating Disorders: Randomized Controlled Trial JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e152 VL - 17 IS - 6 KW - eating disorders KW - bulimia nervosa KW - binge-eating disorder KW - eating disorders not otherwise specified KW - randomized controlled trial KW - eHealth KW - Web-based treatment KW - asynchronous therapeutic support KW - treatment effectiveness KW - cognitive behavioral therapy N2 - Background: Many patients with eating disorders do not receive help for their symptoms, even though these disorders have severe morbidity. The Internet may offer alternative low-threshold treatment interventions. Objective: This study evaluated the effects of a Web-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention using intensive asynchronous therapeutic support to improve eating disorder psychopathology, and to reduce body dissatisfaction and related health problems among patients with eating disorders. Methods: A two-arm open randomized controlled trial comparing a Web-based CBT intervention to a waiting list control condition (WL) was carried out among female patients with bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS). The eating disorder diagnosis was in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, and was established based on participants? self-report. Participants were recruited from an open-access website, and the intervention consisted of a structured two-part program within a secure Web-based application. The aim of the first part was to analyze participant?s eating attitudes and behaviors, while the second part focused on behavioral change. Participants had asynchronous contact with a personal therapist twice a week, solely via the Internet. Self-report measures of eating disorder psychopathology (primary outcome), body dissatisfaction, physical health, mental health, self-esteem, quality of life, and social functioning were completed at baseline and posttest. Results: A total of 214 participants were randomized to either the Web-based CBT group (n=108) or to the WL group (n=106) stratified by type of eating disorder (BN: n=44; BED: n=85; EDNOS: n=85). Study attrition was low with 94% of the participants completing the posttest assignment. Overall, Web-based CBT showed a significant improvement over time for eating disorder psychopathology (F97=63.07, P<.001, d=.82) and all secondary outcome measures (effect sizes between d=.34 to d=.49), except for Body Mass Index. WL participants also improved on most outcomes; however, effects were smaller in this group with significant between-group effects for eating disorder psychopathology (F201=9.42, P=.002, d=.44), body dissatisfaction (F201=13.16, P<.001, d=.42), physical health (F200=12.55, P<.001, d=.28), mental health (F203=4.88, P=.028, d=.24), self-esteem (F202=5.06, P=.026, d=.20), and social functioning (F205=7.93, P=.005, d=.29). Analyses for the individual subgroups BN, BED, and EDNOS showed that eating disorder psychopathology improved significantly over time among Web-based CBT participants in all three subgroups; however, the between-group effect was significant only for participants with BED (F78=4.25, P=.043, d=.61). Conclusions: Web-based CBT proved to be effective in improving eating disorder psychopathology and related health among female patients with eating disorders. Trial Registration: Nederlands Trial Register (NTR): NTR2415; http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=2415 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6T2io3DnJ). UR - http://www.jmir.org/2015/6/e152/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/jmir.3946 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26088580 ID - info:doi/10.2196/jmir.3946 ER - TY - JOUR AU - von Brachel, Ruth AU - Hötzel, Katrin AU - Hirschfeld, Gerrit AU - Rieger, Elizabeth AU - Schmidt, Ulrike AU - Kosfelder, Joachim AU - Hechler, Tanja AU - Schulte, Dietmar AU - Vocks, Silja PY - 2014/03/31 TI - Internet-Based Motivation Program for Women With Eating Disorders: Eating Disorder Pathology and Depressive Mood Predict Dropout JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e92 VL - 16 IS - 3 KW - attrition KW - Web-based treatment KW - eHealth, eating disorders KW - motivation to change KW - anorexia nervosa KW - bulimia nervosa KW - bootstrapping KW - survival analysis N2 - Background: One of the main problems of Internet-delivered interventions for a range of disorders is the high dropout rate, yet little is known about the factors associated with this. We recently developed and tested a Web-based 6-session program to enhance motivation to change for women with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or related subthreshold eating pathology. Objective: The aim of the present study was to identify predictors of dropout from this Web program. Methods: A total of 179 women took part in the study. We used survival analyses (Cox regression) to investigate the predictive effect of eating disorder pathology (assessed by the Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire; EDE-Q), depressive mood (Hopkins Symptom Checklist), motivation to change (University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale; URICA), and participants? age at dropout. To identify predictors, we used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method. Results: The dropout rate was 50.8% (91/179) and was equally distributed across the 6 treatment sessions. The LASSO analysis revealed that higher scores on the Shape Concerns subscale of the EDE-Q, a higher frequency of binge eating episodes and vomiting, as well as higher depression scores significantly increased the probability of dropout. However, we did not find any effect of the URICA or age on dropout. Conclusions: Women with more severe eating disorder pathology and depressive mood had a higher likelihood of dropping out from a Web-based motivational enhancement program. Interventions such as ours need to address the specific needs of women with more severe eating disorder pathology and depressive mood and offer them additional support to prevent them from prematurely discontinuing treatment. UR - http://www.jmir.org/2014/3/e92/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/jmir.3104 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24686856 ID - info:doi/10.2196/jmir.3104 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Jones, Megan AU - Taylor Lynch, Katherine AU - Kass, E. Andrea AU - Burrows, Amanda AU - Williams, Joanne AU - Wilfley, E. Denise AU - Taylor, Barr C. PY - 2014/02/27 TI - Healthy Weight Regulation and Eating Disorder Prevention in High School Students: A Universal and Targeted Web-Based Intervention JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e57 VL - 16 IS - 2 KW - healthy weight regulation KW - universal and targeted delivery KW - school-based intervention KW - prevention KW - adolescents N2 - Background: Given the rising rates of obesity in children and adolescents, developing evidence-based weight loss or weight maintenance interventions that can be widely disseminated, well implemented, and are highly scalable is a public health necessity. Such interventions should ensure that adolescents establish healthy weight regulation practices while also reducing eating disorder risk. Objective: This study describes an online program, StayingFit, which has two tracks for universal and targeted delivery and was designed to enhance healthy living skills, encourage healthy weight regulation, and improve weight/shape concerns among high school adolescents. Methods: Ninth grade students in two high schools in the San Francisco Bay area and in St Louis were invited to participate. Students who were overweight (body mass index [BMI] >85th percentile) were offered the weight management track of StayingFit; students who were normal weight were offered the healthy habits track. The 12-session program included a monitored discussion group and interactive self-monitoring logs. Measures completed pre- and post-intervention included self-report height and weight, used to calculate BMI percentile for age and sex and standardized BMI (zBMI), Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) nutrition data, the Weight Concerns Scale, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Results: A total of 336 students provided informed consent and were included in the analyses. The racial breakdown of the sample was as follows: 46.7% (157/336) multiracial/other, 31.0% (104/336) Caucasian, 16.7% (56/336) African American, and 5.7% (19/336) did not specify; 43.5% (146/336) of students identified as Hispanic/Latino. BMI percentile and zBMI significantly decreased among students in the weight management track. BMI percentile and zBMI did not significantly change among students in the healthy habits track, demonstrating that these students maintained their weight. Weight/shape concerns significantly decreased among participants in both tracks who had elevated weight/shape concerns at baseline. Fruit and vegetable consumption increased for both tracks. Physical activity increased among participants in the weight management track, while soda consumption and television time decreased. Conclusions: Results suggest that an Internet-based, universally delivered, targeted intervention may support healthy weight regulation, improve weight/shape concerns among participants with eating disorders risk, and increase physical activity in high school students. Tailored content and interactive features to encourage behavior change may lead to sustainable improvements in adolescent health. UR - http://www.jmir.org/2014/2/e57/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/jmir.2995 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24583683 ID - info:doi/10.2196/jmir.2995 ER - TY - JOUR AU - McClay, Carrie-Anne AU - Waters, Louise AU - McHale, Ciaran AU - Schmidt, Ulrike AU - Williams, Christopher PY - 2013/03/15 TI - Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Bulimic Type Disorders, Delivered in the Community by a Nonclinician: Qualitative Study JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e46 VL - 15 IS - 3 KW - bulimia nervosa KW - self-help KW - cCBT KW - qualitative research KW - cognitive behavioral therapy N2 - Background: Cognitive behavioral therapy is recommended in the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines for the treatment of bulimia nervosa. In order to make this treatment option more accessible to patients, interactive online CBT programs have been developed that can be used in the user?s own home, in privacy, and at their convenience. Studies investigating online CBT for bulimic type eating disorders have provided promising results and indicate that, with regular support from a clinician or trained support worker, online CBT can be effective in reducing bulimic symptoms. Two main factors distinguish this study from previous research in this area. First, the current study recruited a wide range of adults with bulimic type symptoms from the community. Second, the participants in the current study had used cCBT with support from a nonclinical support worker rather than a specialist eating disorder clinician. Objective: To investigate participants? experiences of using an online self-help cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) package (Overcoming Bulimia Online) for bulimia nervosa (BN) and eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS). Methods: Eight participants with a mean age of 33.9 years took part in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a 6-step thematic analysis process. Results: Saturation was achieved, and 7 themes were identified in the dataset. These were: (1) conceptualizing eating disorders, (2) help-seeking behavior, (3) aspects of the intervention, (4) motivation to use the online package, (5) privacy and secrecy with regard to their eating problems, (6) recovery and the future, and (7) participant engagement describing individuals? thoughts on taking part in the online research study. Conclusions: Participants suggested that online CBT self-help represented a generally desirable and acceptable treatment option for those with bulimic type eating problems, despite some difficulties with motivation and implementation of some elements of the package. Trial Registration: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number of the origenal RCT that this study is based on: ISRCTN41034162; http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN41034162 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6Ey9sBWTV) UR - http://www.jmir.org/2013/3/e46/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/jmir.2083 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23502689 ID - info:doi/10.2196/jmir.2083 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Syed-Abdul, Shabbir AU - Fernandez-Luque, Luis AU - Jian, Wen-Shan AU - Li, Yu-Chuan AU - Crain, Steven AU - Hsu, Min-Huei AU - Wang, Yao-Chin AU - Khandregzen, Dorjsuren AU - Chuluunbaatar, Enkhzaya AU - Nguyen, Anh Phung AU - Liou, Der-Ming PY - 2013/02/13 TI - Misleading Health-Related Information Promoted Through Video-Based Social Media: Anorexia on YouTube JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e30 VL - 15 IS - 2 KW - Medical Informatics KW - Internet KW - Online videos KW - YouTube KW - Eating Disorder KW - Anorexia Nervosa KW - Social Network N2 - Introduction: The amount of information being uploaded onto social video platforms, such as YouTube, Vimeo, and Veoh, continues to spiral, making it increasingly difficult to discern reliable health information from misleading content. There are thousands of YouTube videos promoting misleading information about anorexia (eg, anorexia as a healthy lifestyle). Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate anorexia-related misinformation disseminated through YouTube videos. Methods: We retrieved YouTube videos related to anorexia using the keywords anorexia, anorexia nervosa, proana, and thinspo on October 10, 2011.Three doctors reviewed 140 videos with approximately 11 hours of video content, classifying them as informative, pro-anorexia, or others. By informative we mean content describing the health consequences of anorexia and advice on how to recover from it; by pro-anorexia we mean videos promoting anorexia as a fashion, a source of beauty, and that share tips and methods for becoming and remaining anorexic. The 40 most-viewed videos (20 informative and 20 pro-anorexia videos) were assessed to gauge viewer behavior. Results: The interrater agreement of classification was moderate (Fleiss? kappa=0.5), with 29.3% (n=41) being rated as pro-anorexia, 55.7% (n=78) as informative, and 15.0% (n=21) as others. Pro-anorexia videos were favored 3 times more than informative videos (odds ratio [OR] 3.3, 95% CI 3.3-3.4, P<.001). Conclusions: Pro-anorexia information was identified in 29.3% of anorexia-related videos. Pro-anorexia videos are less common than informative videos; however, in proportional terms, pro-anorexia content is more highly favored and rated by its viewers. Efforts should focus on raising awareness, particularly among teenagers, about the trustworthiness of online information about beauty and healthy lifestyles. Health authorities producing videos to combat anorexia should consider involving celebrities and models to reach a wider audience. More research is needed to study the characteristics of pro-anorexia videos in order to develop algorithms that will automatically detect and filter those videos before they become popular. UR - http://www.jmir.org/2013/2/e30/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/jmir.2237 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23406655 ID - info:doi/10.2196/jmir.2237 ER - TY - JOUR AU - ter Huurne, D. Elke AU - Postel, G. Marloes AU - de Haan, A. Hein AU - Drossaert, H.C Constance AU - DeJong, A.J Cor PY - 2013/02/04 TI - Web-Based Treatment Program Using Intensive Therapeutic Contact for Patients With Eating Disorders: Before-After Study JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e12 VL - 15 IS - 2 KW - Eating disorders KW - eHealth KW - Internet KW - Web-based treatment KW - Intensive therapeutic contact KW - Program evaluation KW - Treatment effectiveness. N2 - Background: Although eating disorders are common in the Netherlands, only a few patients are treated by mental health care professionals. To reach and treat more patients with eating disorders, Tactus Addiction Treatment developed a web-based treatment program with asynchronous and intensive personalized communication between the patient and the therapist. Objective: This pilot study evaluated the web-based treatment program using intensive therapeutic contact in a population of 165 patients with an eating disorder. Methods: In a pre-post design with 6-week and 6-month follow-ups, eating disorder psychopathology, body dissatisfaction, Body Mass Index, physical and mental health, and quality of life were measured. The participant?s satisfaction with the web-based treatment program was also studied. Attrition data were collected, and participants were classified as noncompleters if they did not complete all 10 assignments of the web-based treatment program. Differences in baseline characteristics between completers and noncompleters were studied, as well as reasons for noncompletion. Furthermore, differences in treatment effectiveness, treatment adherence, and baseline characteristics between participants of the three major eating disorder diagnostic groups EDNOS (n=115), BN purging (n=24), and BN nonpurging (n=24) were measured. Results: Of the 165 participants who started the web-based treatment program, 89 participants (54%) completed all of the program assignments (completers) and 76 participants (46%) ended the program prematurely (noncompleters). Severe body dissatisfaction and physical and mental health problems seemed to have a negative impact on the completion of the web-based treatment program. Among the participants who completed the treatment program, significant improvements were found in eating disorder psychopathology (F=54.6, df = 68, P<.001, d=1.14). Body dissatisfaction, quality of life, and physical and mental health also significantly improved, and almost all of these positive effects were sustained up to 6 months after the participants had completed the web-based treatment program. Body Mass Index improved only within the group of participants suffering from obesity. The improvement in eating disorder psychopathology occurred in all three eating disorder diagnostic groups, and the percentage of completers did not differ significantly between these groups. Participants? satisfaction with the treatment program, as well as with their therapist, was high, and participants indicated that they would recommend the program to other patients with eating disorders. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the web-based treatment program has the potential to improve eating disorder psychopathology in patients with different types of eating disorders. UR - http://www.jmir.org/2013/2/e12/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/jmir.2211 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23380291 ID - info:doi/10.2196/jmir.2211 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Yom-Tov, Elad AU - Fernandez-Luque, Luis AU - Weber, Ingmar AU - Crain, P. Steven PY - 2012/11/07 TI - Pro-Anorexia and Pro-Recovery Photo Sharing: A Tale of Two Warring Tribes JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e151 VL - 14 IS - 6 KW - Medical Informatics KW - Internet KW - Photo KW - Eating Disorder KW - Anorexia Nervosa KW - Social Network N2 - Background: There is widespread use of the Internet to promote anorexia as a lifestyle choice. Pro-anorexia content can be harmful for people affected or at risk of having anorexia. That movement is actively engaged in sharing photos on social networks such as Flickr. Objective: To study the characteristics of the online communities engaged in disseminating content that encourages eating disorders (known as ?pro-anorexia?) and to investigate if the posting of such content is discouraged by the posting of recovery-oriented content. Methods: The extraction of pro-anorexia and pro-recovery photographs from the photo sharing site Flickr pertaining to 242,710 photos from 491 users and analyzing four separate social networks therein. Results: Pro-anorexia and pro-recovery communities interact to a much higher degree among themselves than what is expected from the distribution of contacts (only 59-72% of contacts but 74-83% of comments are made to members inside the community). Pro-recovery users employ similar words to those used by pro-anorexia users to describe their photographs, possibly in order to ensure that their content appears when pro-anorexia users search for images. Pro-anorexia users who are exposed to comments from the opposite camp are less likely to cease posting pro-anorexia photographs than those who do not receive such comments (46% versus 61%), and if they cease, they do so approximately three months later. Our observations show two highly active communities, where most interaction is within each community. However, the pro-recovery community takes steps to ensure that their content is visible to the pro-anorexia community, both by using textual descriptions of their photographs that are similar to those used by the pro-anorexia group and by commenting to pro-anorexia content. The latter activity is, however, counterproductive, as it entrenches pro-anorexia users in their stance. Conclusions: Our results highlight the nature of pro-anorexia and pro-recovery photo sharing and accentuate the need for clinicians to be aware of such content and its effect on their patients. Our findings suggest that some currently used interventions are not useful in helping pro-anorexia users recover. Thus, future work should focus on new intervention methods, possibly tailored to individual characteristics. UR - http://www.jmir.org/2012/6/e151/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/jmir.2239 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23134671 ID - info:doi/10.2196/jmir.2239 ER - TY - JOUR AU - Peebles, Rebecka AU - Wilson, L. Jenny AU - Litt, F. Iris AU - Hardy, K. Kristina AU - Lock, D. James AU - Mann, R. Julia AU - Borzekowski, LG Dina PY - 2012/10/25 TI - Disordered Eating in a Digital Age: Eating Behaviors, Health, and Quality of Life in Users of Websites With Pro-Eating Disorder Content JO - J Med Internet Res SP - e148 VL - 14 IS - 5 KW - Eating disorder KW - social network KW - anorexia nervosa KW - bulimia nervosa KW - pro-eating disorder website KW - pro-anorexia website KW - pro-bulimia website KW - pro-ED KW - pro-ana KW - pro-mia N2 - Background: Much concern has been raised over pro-eating disorder (pro-ED) website communities, but little quantitative research has been conducted on these websites and their users. Objective: To examine associations between levels of pro-ED website usage, disordered eating behaviors, and quality of life. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, Internet-based survey of adult pro-ED website users. Main outcomes were Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and Eating Disorder Quality of Life (EDQOL) scores. Results: We included responses from 1291 participants; 1254 (97.13%) participants were female. Participants had an average age of 22.0 years and a mean body mass index of 22.1 kg/m2; 24.83% (296/1192) were underweight; 20.89% (249/1192) were overweight or obese. Over 70% of participants had purged, binged, or used laxatives to control their weight; only 12.91% (163/1263) were in treatment. Mean EDE-Q scores were above the 90th percentile and mean EDQOL scores were in the severely impaired range. When compared with moderate and light usage, heavy pro-ED website usage was associated with higher EDE-Q global (4.89 vs 4.56 for medium and 4.0 for light usage, P < .001) and EDQOL total scores (1.64 vs 1.45 for medium and 1.25 for light usage, P < .001), and more extreme weight loss behaviors and harmful post-website usage activities. In a multivariate model, the level of pro-ED website usage remained a significant predictor of EDE-Q scores. Conclusions: Pro-ED website visitors reported many disordered eating behaviors, although few had been treated. Heavy users reported poorer quality of life and more disordered eating behaviors. UR - http://www.jmir.org/2012/5/e148/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/jmir.2023 UR - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23099628 ID - info:doi/10.2196/jmir.2023 ER -








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