Eating Disorder Hope is a leader in the online Pro-Recovery Movement. We are passionate about helping those in eating disorder recovery find hope, health, and healing. With the understanding that recovery allows you to fully participate in life and contribute to the world around you in meaningful ways, we are honored to support your journey and give you a platform to share your voice.
Eating Disorder Research & Studies
The field of eating disorder research is continually evolving, and treatments are being developed and refined based on these discoveries. Given the complex nature of eating disorders, it is not surprising that the factors that contribute to these diseases are multifaceted. There is not one single cause responsible for the formation and development of an eating disorder, but rather, an accumulation of several possible compounding factors that each play a role in the development and maintenance of these diseases. These factors can be biological, sociological, emotional, environmental, etc.
One factor frequently investigated by eating disorder research is the biological component of eating disorders. Many have pondered and theorized what mechanisms occur in the human body, and brain specifically, that can make an individual susceptible to developing anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder. Studies are currently underway that are examining potential contributing factors to an eating disorder, such as genetics, hormones, and neurobiology.
UC San Diego
Publications
Neural Insensitivity to the Effects of Hunger in Women Remitted From Anorexia Nervosa
Walter H. Kaye, M.D., Christina E. Wierenga, Ph.D., Amanda Bischoff-Grethe, Ph.D., Laura A. Berner, Ph.D., Alice V. Ely, Ph.D., Ursula F. Bailer, M.D., Martin P. Paulus, M.D., Julie L. Fudge, M.D.
Published Online:12 Mar 2020 https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19030261
From UCSD Eating Disorders Center on Vimeo.
Studies
The Role of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Regulating Meal Time Anorexia Nervosa: Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics
Exploring the Safety and Efficacy of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy for Anorexia
Binge Eating Brain Imaging Study
Icahn School of Medicine
The Center of Excellence in Eating and Weight Disorders in the Department of Psychology
Use of Virtual Reality for Circadian Reset and Binge Eating
The Center of Excellence in Eating and Weight Disorders in the Department of Psychology at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York City (PI: Tom Hildebrandt) is currently recruiting participants for a clinical research study to understand the effect of a circadian reset technology (CRT) on binge eating. The CRT is a virtual-reality intervention delivered via a virtual reality (VR) headset. An Oura ring is also used in order to track sleep improvement for the duration of the study.
Keep reading to learn more about the study!
What will you do?
- You would be provided a VR headset to wear twice a day for 5 minutes (once when you wake up and once before sleep) to watch a visual similar to a guided mediation where you would look at images like the horizon or buildings while sitting in a relaxed position. You will also be provided with an Oura ring to wear for the duration of the study to track sleep patterns/improvements.
- Participation involves: Two in person visits study sessions (one in the beginning and one at follow-up) for a brief brain scan called an fMRI, surveys once a week, using the headset daily, and providing task feedback.
- Risks/benefits: Risks to participating in the study are minimal. Discussing eating and health behaviors may create emotional or physical discomfort. Potential benefits include improvements in sleep quality and eating behavior, reduced anxiety, and increased relaxation.
- Compensation is $325
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible if you:
- Currently meet criteria for a diagnosis of Binge Eating or believe you struggle from binge eating episodes
- Live in New York or can commute to the city twice across a 30 day period easily
- Read and speak fluent English
How do I participate?
If you are interested in hearing more or scheduling a zoom to begin enrollment, please contact:
University of Kansas
Studies
AN Decision-Making Study
The Department of Psychology at the University of Kansas (PI: Lex L’Insalata, M.A.; Faculty Supervisor: Tera Fazzino, Ph.D.) is currently recruiting participants for a virtual research study to better understand decision-making among people with a current diagnosis of anorexia nervosa.
Keep reading to learn more about the study!
What will you do?
- Participation involves: One virtual study session via Zoom (2-2.5 hours), surveys, tasks related to hypothetical food and weight loss preferences, and providing task feedback.
- Risks/benefits: Risks to participating in the study are minimal. Discussing eating and health behaviors may create emotional or physical discomfort. There are no direct benefits to participating in this study.
- Compensation is $100
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible if you:
- Are 18 years of age or older
- Live in the United States
- Read and speak fluent English
- Currently meet criteria for a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa
How do I participate?
If you are interested in participating, please take 5-10 min. to complete the screening survey using the following link:
If you are eligible, someone from the research team will contact you to schedule your study session. If you have any questions, please contact Lex L’Insalata with any questions at [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in our research!
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Studies
Research Opportunity for adolescents and adults!!
Help researchers show how brain modulation can help social behaviors in adolescents and adults!
Participation Involves:
- Providing medical history
- Neuropsychological assessment
- MRI scan with tasks
- transcranial direct current stimulation (tCD)
- Monetary compensation for time
Study requirements:
- Age: 15-30
- Gender: Female
- Race/Ethnicity: Any
- Diagnosed with Anorexia
To enroll your child or self in the study, please contact us
Haley Walker
University of Louisville
Eating Anxiety Treatment (EAT) Lab
Studies
EAT Lab – University of Louisville & REDS Lab – Auburn University |
TRAC STUDY
Earn up to $350 to participate in a study to help us understand eating disorders and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors by completing phone screenings, using a mobile-app to answers questions, and wearing a sensor watch for 3 weeks.
Are you:
- 18-65 years old?
- With current Anorexia Nervosa or Atypical Anorexia?
- Have had self-injurious thoughts/behaviors?
Please consider enrolling in the prescreener portion of this study to determine whether you are eligible to continue participation to the main portion of the study:
For more information email [email protected], call (334) 521-2153 or visit LOUISVILLEEATLAB.COM or REDSLAB.ORG
Online Relapse Prevention Study
The study includes individuals diagnosed with AN, BN, or Atypical-AN and have been discharged from intensive eating disorder treatment in the past month (stepping down from inpatient, residential, partial hospital/day program, or intensive outpatient). Participants will be asked to complete an eligibility screening over the phone, online questionnaires, app based behavioral task, and five sessions of relapse prevention treatment. Following treatment, participants will be asked to complete follow-ups at post-intervention, and at 1, 6, 12, and 18 months, and can receive up to a $200 gift card for completing the study.
Facing Eating Disorder Fears Study
Personalized Treatment and CBT-E Study
Publications
Using individual networks to identify treatment targets for eating disorder treatment: a proof-of-concept study and initial data.
Levinson, C. A., Hunt, R. A., Keshishian, A. C., Brown, M. L., Vanzhula, I., Christian, C., Brosof, L. C., & Williams, B. M. (2021). Using individual networks to identify treatment targets for eating disorder treatment: a proof-of-concept study and initial data. Journal of eating disorders, 9(1), 147. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-021-00504-7
Birkbeck, University of London
Studies
Sugar Addiction Survey
I am Sophie Hascher, a PhD student at Birkbeck, University of London and currently recruiting 1000 participants for my sugar addiction survey. I am recruiting participants who are +18 years old.
As a PhD student, I am interested in developing a psychometric test to measure sugar addiction.
I am inviting you to complete this short 15min. survey, which will explore your relationship to sugar, as well as look at potential comorbidities.
You will be entered into a draw for a chance to win one of three £20 Amazon vouchers. The draw will take place at the end of the study after data collection is complete.
Who is eligible?
- +18 years old
If you are interested to voluntarily participate in this study, please click on this link:
Hertfordshire University
Studies
Would you like to take part in an online survey investigating the effects of inflexible thinking styles on engagement in treatment?
Hello, my name is Shaunak Deshpande. I am a trainee clinical psychologist. As part of my doctoral training in clinical psychology at Hertfordshire University, I invite you to participate in my research exploring how flexibility in thinking can influence well-being and adherence to therapies.
It should take around 20 minutes.
Who is eligible?
- Have you been diagnosed with OCD or a related disorder (e.g., Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Hoarding Disorder, Hair-pulling or Skin-picking Disorder) or an Eating Disorder?
- Are you aged 18 years or above?
- Have you received some form of therapy or medication for your mental health in the last 12 months or are you currently receiving it?
Please contact me or use the following link:
Lancaster University
Studies
Orthorexia nervosa (ON)
Kristi Nielson, a research student at Lancaster University in the UK, invites eligible participants to be involved in a study on orthorexia nervosa (ON) or obsessive healthy eating. Orthorexia is defined as an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating, to the point where it negatively impacts someone’s life (e.g., emotionally, physically, socially, etc.). Specifically, the research focuses on the lived experience of ON among individuals who identify as men and live in the U.S. The purpose of the study is to explore what men believe led to their experience with orthorexia, as well as what they think currently maintains it.
You’re if:
- You identify with orthorexia nervosa or obsessive healthy eating, in which this phenomenon has negatively impacted your life (e.g., physically, emotionally, socially)
- You identify as a man
- You are > 18 years old
- You reside in the U.S.
- You are able to speak English
What is being asked of you? If you meet the above criteria and want to participate, you will be asked to partake in an online interview with me for approximately 60 minutes.
For more information, please contact Kristi Nielson directly at:
University of Montana
Studies
Exploring Experiences of Using a Coach for Eating Disorder Recovery.
Researchers at the University of Montana are recruiting for an online study exploring experiences of using a coach (for example, eating disorder recovery coach, life coach, or health and wellness coach) for eating disorder recovery. This study involves completing a short (15-25 minute) survey about your experiences and perspectives on using a coach for eating disorder recovery!
Eligibility include Individuals who are:
- 18 years or older
- Living in the United States
- With a current or past eating disorder, and current or past use of a coach for eating disorder recovery.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
If interested in participating, you can participate here:
Randomized control trial of an evidence-based treatment for children with eating disorders
Looking for access to treatment for your adolescent or teen with an eating disorder? Researchers at the University of Montana are recruiting participants for a randomized control trial of an evidence-based treatment for children with eating disorders. If you have a child between the ages of 8-17, you can complete treatment for free and you will be compensated $200 for the completion of surveys that will assess your treatment progress. Treatment can be remote or in person, we are accepting participants across the United States. Please reach out to the researchers for more information.
Eligibility requirements are:
- Living in the US
- Child’s age is between 8-17
- Child has been diagnosed with or has a suspected eating disorder
Contact info:
Northwestern University
Studies
Increase access to body image and mood support for LGBTQ+ youth
UPDATE:
This study is now complete.
Researchers at Northwestern University are running a study to increase access to body image and mood support for LGBTQ+ youth! The study takes 1 hour to complete.
Participants receive up to $15 for participating in the online activity and survey.
You may be eligible if you are:
- An LGBTQ+ teen ages 13-17
- Comfortable reading/writing in English and in the U.S.
- Having difficulties with mood (feeling sad)
- Having concerns about body image (how you look)
For more information, email Arielle Smith ([email protected]) and Dr. Jessica Schleider ([email protected]) and mention the study
Testing a Single-Session Online Body Image and Mood Program for Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Adolescents: IRB STU00220039.
You can learn more and get started at:
Goldsmiths, University of London
Studies
Executive Functioning in Anorexia Nervosa
🌟 Join Our Research Study on Executive Functioning in Anorexia Nervosa!🌟
Are you aged 18 or above with a history of Anorexia Nervosa? We invite you to participate in our groundbreaking research study exploring executive functioning.
What’s Involved:
- Immerse yourself in a virtual reality task, the Jansari Assessment of Executive Functions (JEF©), set in an office environment.
- Complete a short questionnaire focused on eating habits (EDE-QS).
- Participate comfortably from Zoom – your data will remain ANONYMOUS!
- Complete a 1-minute IQ test at the end of the study.
- Opportunity to win a £30 Amazon voucher as a token of our appreciation!
Study Details:
- The virtual reality task will take place in a simulated office setting.
- The entire study is expected to take a maximum of 1 hour.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Age 18 and above.
- History of Anorexia Nervosa.
- No history of epilepsy, schizophrenia, or other psychiatric conditions.
Why Participate?
- Contribute to understanding executive functioning in Anorexia Nervosa.
- Play a vital role in developing targeted interventions.
- Opportunity to raise awareness
How to Participate:
- Complete the Online Consent Form.
- Fill out the Eating Disorder Examination – Questionnaire Short (EDE-QS).
- Engage in the Jansari Assessment of Executive Functions (JEF©) virtual reality task.
- Contribute to a brief 1-minute IQ test.
Your participation makes a difference! Join us in advancing research and supporting those affected by eating disorders.
🎁 Don’t miss the chance to win a £30 Amazon voucher as a token of our gratitude for your valuable contribution! 🎁
For inquiries or to express your interest:
Stanford
Studies
Confirming the Effectiveness of Online Guided Self-Help Family-Based Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa
The Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science is conducting a study on virtual treatments for Anorexia Nervosa in Adolescents. The first-line treatment for adolescents with AN is Family Based Treatment (FBT). While FBT can be delivered using videoconferencing (FBT-V), therapists’ limited availability hampers scalability. Guided self-help (GSH) versions of efficacious treatments have been used to scale and increase access to care. The main aim of this study is to confirm that clinical improvements in GSH-FBT are achieved with greater efficiency than FBT-V in generalizable clinical settings. This study builds upon a pilot study where outcomes suggested that a Guided Parental Self-Help Version of FBT (GSH-FBT) has similar treatment outcomes as therapist provided FBT. There is no cost to participating, and all participants will receive free treatment through the study.
Inclusion criteria are as follows:
- Age 12-18
- Meet DSM-5 criteria AN (either subtype)
- Participants live with family and reside anywhere within the United States
- Family members fluently speak and read English and have access to a computer with internet
- Participants are not engaged in another individual or family-based psychotherapy trial during the duration of treatment sessions in the study.
- Medications for comorbid psychiatric disorders are OK
All participants will receive an intervention, randomized to one of two conditions. In one condition, participants will receive fifteen 60-minute sessions of 3-phase manualized FBT modified for video conferencing with a therapist trained in FBT; in the second condition parents will receive a virtual guided-self-help treatment via an online learning platform, and ten 20-minute virtual sessions in which they work with a therapist-coach. All sessions and assessments will be conducted over Zoom over the course of 9 months, with follow-up assessments up to a year post-treatment. I have attached our flyer to this email and would be grateful if you could share this information.
Contact
- [email protected]
- (650) 723 – 9182
- Flyer Download
Teen Health Study
If you are a parent with a history of an eating disorder and have a daughter (without a history of an eating disorder) between the ages of 12-16, join the Teen Health Study! Help us learn
about factors that predict healthy adolescent development and eating behaviors. Adolescents will be asked to complete surveys, interviews, and an fMRI where they will be shown pictures of their brain!
The Stice Lab at Stanford is hoping to learn more about risk and protective factors of disordered eating.
Who may be eligible?
We are looking for families with daughters between the ages of 12-16 who do not have any form of disordered eating/eating disorder.
Among these families, we are hoping to find parents who may have experienced one or more of the following during their entire life:
- fear of weight gain
- restrictive eating
- excessive or compensatory exercise
- purging
- loss of control eating
- disordered eating
- eating disorder
Will you get compensated?
Each parent can receive $25 for completion of a short interview.
Total family payout is up to $400!
Interested?
Contact
- If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to help!
- If you are interested, you can fill out our interest form at: https://redcap.link/thsinterest
- (650) 285-2049
Visit our website
