Digital Guided Self-Help for Binge Eating Disorder: Devising an Effectiveness Study and Testing its Acceptability and Feasibility
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a common mental health issue affecting about 1.4 million people in England, which significantly impacts their psychological and physical well-being. This project explores a digital, guided self-help programme, designed as a more accessible and personalised treatment option. Unlike traditional methods that rely on printed materials, this solution allows users to engage via smartphones or computers, offering support tailored to the individual's needs, with telephone-based assistance to avoid repeated clinic visits.
The research will consider existing studies on digital interventions for BED, gather insights from sufferers, healthcare professionals, and specialists, and then conduct a preliminary 'feasibility' study. This is important to refine the approach for a comprehensive study comparing the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of this new approach versus a waiting list control.
In collaboration with individuals experiencing BED and healthcare professionals, this project prioritises patient and public involvement (PPI) throughout. This ensures that the programme is grounded in real-world experiences and needs, enhancing the relevance and impact of the research on patients and the NHS.
Project lead / contact:
Rebecca Murphy — Department of Psychiatry (ox.ac.uk)
Website:
Centre for Research on Eating Disorders at Oxford — Department of Psychiatry
ARC theme: Digital Transformation of Health and Care
Who we're working with
ARC OxTV Associated Project
Associated projects are projects which the ARC has helped support in some way, but does not itself directly fund or run.