EMOTE: a Smartphone Application for Binge Eating Based on DBT Skills

Launched by UNIVERSIDADE DO PORTO · Nov 8, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The EMOTE trial is studying a new smartphone app designed to help women who struggle with binge eating. Binge eating can lead to serious health problems and lower quality of life, so finding effective ways to help is very important. This study will look at how well the eMOTE app, which uses skills from a type of therapy called Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), can assist women who report experiencing binge eating episodes. Participants will be randomly assigned to either use the app or be placed on a waiting list.

To join this trial, women need to be 18 years or older, have experienced at least one binge eating episode in the last month, own a smartphone, and speak Portuguese. Those currently receiving therapy, pregnant, or with certain mental health conditions won’t be eligible. Participants can expect to use the app and share their experiences during the trial, which aims to find out if the app can effectively help manage binge eating. This study is currently recruiting, so it offers an opportunity to explore a potentially helpful tool for those affected by binge eating.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • female;
• • aged 18 years or older;
• • self-report at least one binge eating episode over the past four weeks;
• • owned a smartphone;
• • fluent in Portuguese.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • attending psychotherapy (face-to-face or digital) or another clinical trial;
• • body mass index below 18.5;
• • self-report an average of eight or more episodes of binge eating or inappropriate compensatory behaviours per week;
• • being pregnant;
• • self-report bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, substance abuse, suicidal ideation or borderline personality disorder.