Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

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

This research is looking at a new digital self-help program called Juniver, designed to help people with eating disorders. The program, delivered through an iPhone app, includes educational content, interactive tools, and moderated group support with peers. It's built on ideas from different therapies and created with input from people who have experienced eating disorders themselves. The study aims to find out if using the Juniver app for 12 weeks can help reduce symptoms of eating disorders, as well as feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress. Researchers will compare people using Juniver to those on a waiting list to see how effective it is, with follow-up over 24 weeks.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

King's College London

Enrolment target

300

Start

23 Dec 2023

Estimated completion

30 Aug 2025

Feeding and Eating Disorders Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa Binge-Eating Disorder Binge Eating Eating Disorders Disordered Eating

What is this study about?

This study is about a new iPhone app called Juniver, which is designed to help people who are struggling with eating disorders. Eating disorders are serious conditions that involve difficult thoughts and behaviours around food and weight, affecting many people in the UK. While there are treatments available, not everyone can access them, and some existing treatments only help to a certain extent. Researchers believe that technology, like mobile phone apps, could offer new ways to support people.

Juniver is a self-help program that you can use on your own phone. It combines different helpful approaches, including ideas from therapy that focus on thoughts and behaviours, and 'just-in-time' support when you need it most. It also offers a chance to connect with others through moderated support groups. The app was created by a team that includes people who have personal experience with eating disorders, as well as health experts and scientists, to make sure it's helpful and relevant.

The main goal of this study is to see if using the Juniver app can make a real difference in reducing the symptoms of eating disorders. They also want to check if it helps with other common challenges like depression, anxiety, and stress. Participants will be randomly put into two groups: one will use the Juniver app for 12 weeks, and the other will be on a waiting list. Researchers will then compare the experiences of both groups to understand how effective the app is, and they will continue to check in with participants for up to 24 weeks.

Key takeaways

Tests a new iPhone app called Juniver for eating disorders.
Combines therapy ideas, interactive tools, and peer support.
Aims to reduce eating disorder symptoms, anxiety, and stress.
Open to individuals aged 16+ in the UK or US with eating disorder symptoms.
Participants are randomly assigned to use the app or be on a waiting list.
All data collection is done online through questionnaires.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be at least 16 years old and live in the UK or the US. The study is open to people who have any type or severity of eating disorder, which will be checked using a special questionnaire. It's important that you can understand what the study involves and agree to take part, and you'll need to share your contact details.

You'll also need to be willing to provide contact details for a GP or other healthcare professional you are registered with. This is so the study team can reach out if they have concerns about your well-being during the study.

However, there are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you don't have an iPhone, as the app only works on this system. You also wouldn't be able to participate if you're on a special diet for a health condition like Coeliac disease or diabetes, because the app can't provide the very specific dietary advice you might need. People with severe depression, active thoughts of harming themselves, a very low body weight (BMI less than 15), or who have been in hospital for an eating disorder or mental health issue recently would also not be able to join.

Quick self-check

Are you 16 years old or over?
Do you live in the UK or the US?
Do you have an iPhone to use the app?
Are you NOT on a special diet for a health condition (like diabetes or Coeliac disease)?
Are you NOT experiencing severe depression or suicidal thoughts?
Have you NOT been in hospital for an eating disorder or mental health issue in the last month?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you would first fill out some questionnaires to see if you are eligible. If you are, you'd then be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group would gain access to the Juniver iPhone app straight away and use it for 12 weeks. The other group would be on a waiting list for these 12 weeks. Everyone in the study will be asked to complete online questionnaires about their eating disorder symptoms, mood, anxiety, and stress levels at the beginning, after 12 weeks, and again after 24 weeks. There are no in-person visits required; all assessments are done online. There are no medications involved in this study. The total time you would be actively involved in completing surveys would be around 24 weeks, though the main intervention period is 12 weeks.

Potential risks and benefits

Potential benefits of taking part could include receiving access to a new digital self-help program for eating disorders that might help you manage your symptoms and improve your well-being. By participating, you would also be contributing to important research that could help improve future support for others with eating disorders. As with any study, there's always a small chance you might find some of the questions or the self-help content difficult or upsetting. The study team has safeguards in place, including being able to contact your healthcare professional if they have concerns. Remember, your participation is voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason.

Locations (1)

King's College London
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is Juniver?

Juniver is a new self-help program delivered through an iPhone app, designed to help people with eating disorders using educational content, tools, and peer support.

Do I need to have an eating disorder diagnosis to join?

The study includes people with different types and severities of eating disorder symptoms, which will be checked through a questionnaire, so a formal diagnosis isn't always essential beforehand.

What does 'randomised controlled trial' mean?

It means participants are randomly put into groups, like choosing names from a hat. One group gets the new app, and the other becomes a 'control' group (like a waiting list) so researchers can fairly compare the two.

Is the Juniver app available on Android phones?

Currently, the Juniver app is only available for use on iPhones.

How long will I be involved in the study?

You'll be asked to complete questionnaires at the start, after 12 weeks, and again after 24 weeks. The main app use or waiting period is 12 weeks.