Professional Resources

Research Studies

All of the research studies listed below have been reviewed and approved by AED. Researchers submitting studies to post on this website must provide details of the study to AED's Electronic Media Committee for review.

Seton Hall University Online Research Study

The purpose of the dissertation study is to explore behavioral factors that influence if physicians assess patients for binge eating disorder. The behavioral factors are knowledge and skills, saliency, intention, environmental constraints, and habit. The study will also find out if there are differences between primary care physicians and specialty care physicians for these behavioral factors. This study will try to bridge a gap in the literature and add to the body of knowledge. Please note you do not need to have assessed for or treated patients with eating disorders or binge eating disorder to complete this survey. Your responses are very important, and all questions include a neutral response.

The study involves the completion of an electronic survey. Please complete the survey if you fit the study requirements. The requirements include being a physician (e.g., M.D. or D.O.) with a license to practice and prescribe to patients. The link below will connect you to the survey instrument. There is also a brief demographic questionnaire. This questionnaire will gather information related to your age, gender, race/ethnicity, years as a physician, and the state(s) you practice in. Please complete all questions. This study will use a recruitment technique known as chain referral or snowball sampling. This means you may forward this e-mail to anyone you think meets the requirements previously mentioned. The attached link is not unique to you. They may then complete the survey, even if you choose not to, and this allows the survey to reach a greater audience. It should take about 10-15 minutes to complete the survey. However, you may take longer if you wish to complete the survey.

Survey QR Code

Participation in this survey is entirely voluntary. You may decide not to take part at any time. If you choose not to take part, there is no penalty. Clicking on this link or scanning the QR code to the right signifies your consent to take part in this study.

Complete the Survey

The survey is anonymous. Information about participants including name, any affiliation (including URL address) will not be captured. The information collected is general demographic data. There will be no records naming you, specifically. There is no way to contact you or link your responses to you or those of anyone you forward the survey to.

All data from this study is confidential. The principal investigator, Kathleen Lovey, will store all data on a password-protected USB device in her office. The principal investigator is the only person with access to this data. The principle investigator will store the data for three years and then destroy it. As there is with anything online, there is a risk (although remote) of hacking. There is no foreseeable risk in completing this survey. There are no proposed benefits to taking part in this research. Results of this research will give healthcare leaders information regarding behavioral factors that influence if a physician will assess for binge eating disorder. There is no compensation for participation in this research study.

You have the right to ask any questions at any time. If you have any questions about this study, please contact the principal investigator, Kathleen Lovey through the office of Dr. Deborah DeLuca at Seton Hall University School of Health and Medical Sciences at 973-275-2842 or at Deborah.Deluca@shu.edu.

In addition, you may contact Dr. Ruzicka in the office of the Institutional Review Board at 973-275-2723.

This posting was approved by the Electronic Media Committee. You may send questions about the survey and ask for the correct answers to the knowledge questions.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

University of La Verne Online Research Study

Are you a mental health professional who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders? If yes, we are looking for people like you to complete our online, anonymous survey (approximately 8-10 minutes).

As there is sometimes a gap between research and clinical practice, we are looking to better understand what factors contribute to the treatment decisions mental health professionals make when working with eating disorder patients.

If you are interested in helping to broaden the understanding of why clinicians may or may not adhere to what research suggests is "best practice' for the treatment of eating disorders, please consider completing the survey below.

Study conducted by Tatiana Richard-Kassar, MS and Luci Martin, PhD
University of La Verne, Department of Psychology

For more information about participation in this study, please contact: tatiana.richard-kassar@laverne.edu

This study has received approval by the University of Laverne, Institutional Review Board irb@laverne.edu (+1-909-448-4564).

Complete the Survey

Thank you!

Online Research Study

We are currently conducting an online research study investigating how clinicians understand and address fear of weight gain in eating disorder patients. As an eating disorder professional, we need your help to better understand fear of weight gain!

In this study, you will be asked to complete a series of online questionnaires that ask about your background and the therapy treatments you provide to eating disorder patients. These questionnaires will last approximately 20 minutes. You will be entered into a drawing to win one of two $100 gift cards to either Amazon or Target (your choice) for your time.

We would be so grateful for your time in this important study, as it will lead to increased knowledge of eating disorder treatments, which could inform interventions and/or preventions for eating disorders. You can also find out more information at louisvilleeatlab.com.

Participate in Research Study

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University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario

Clinicians' Perspectives on Behaviour Change in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Eating Disorders

ABSTRACT:
Rapid behaviour change early in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for eating disorders is a robust predictor of good treatment outcomes. There is ample evidence that rapid response is likely accounted for largely by treatment-related processes. Accordingly, eating disorder therapists can play an important role in facilitating change during this crucial period. The purpose of this study is to examine and describe therapist attitudes and approaches towards behavioural change in CBT for eating disorders, as well as therapist characteristics that may affect clinician attitudes and approaches. We predict that various professional and individual characteristics will be related to the degree to which therapists are comfortable with encouraging behaviour change. Participants will be recruited electronically from various professional organizations related to eating disorders, and the questionnaires will be administered electronically using Lime Survey software.

Dear Fellow Eating Disorder Clinician,

We are conducting research on behaviour change in CBT for eating disorders.  As part of this research, we are interested in learning about and documenting the opinions and experiences of frontline clinicians who are using CBT to treat eating disorders in outpatient settings.  We are requesting your help in completing a survey on this topic.

We fully appreciate how busy you are and have therefore designed this survey to take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

The information that we gather from you, a frontline clinician, will help us to design future research studies that addresses the priorities and concerns of clinicians in this field.

If you are willing to participate, please click on the link at the end of this listing to complete the survey.  Before completing the survey, you will be presented with a consent form that outlines the details of the study, which you will be required to read before completing the survey. By completing the survey, you are providing implied consent to participate. The survey will close on May 31, 2017.

Before you complete the survey, please read the study information below: 

Please note that your responses are anonymous and participation is voluntary.  Your survey responses and decision whether to take part in the study will not have an impact on any present or future relationship with University Health Network (UHN).

This survey is being conducted via ‘Lime Survey,’ an open source survey software that stores data directly on our secure UHN server.

If you have any questions about this study, please contact the Principal Investigator, Dr. Kathryn Trottier at kathryn.trottier@uhn.ca or 416-340-4800 ext 4067, or the Study Coordinator Dr. Danielle MacDonald (postdoctoral fellow) at danielle.macdonald@uhn.ca or 416-340-4800 ext 4749.  If you have any questions about your rights as a research participant or have concerns about this study, call the UHN REB or the Research Ethics office number at 416-581-7849. The UHN REB is not part of the study team. Everything that you discuss will be kept confidential. Please note that communication via e-mail is not absolutely secure. Messages may be forged, forwarded, kept indefinitely, or seen by others using the internet. Thus, please do not communicate personal sensitive information via e-mail.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Trottier, Ph.D.
Danielle MacDonald, PhD.

View Survey

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World Health Organization (WHO) 

We are writing to inform you of a unique and exciting opportunity for you to lend your clinical expertise in Eating and Feeding Disorders to a global endeavor spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO). 

WHO is currently refining the next version of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11). As part of this process, WHO’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse is undertaking global field studies, both clinic- and internet-based, to modify the language in the proposed diagnostic guidelines for Mental and Behavioral Disorders. 

As a mental health or primary care practitioner, you are invited to participate in an upcoming, supplemental internet-based field study to help ensure the clinical utility (e.g., ease-of-use, goodness of fit), validity, and global applicability of the new classification system for eating disorders.

Substantial changes have been proposed to the Eating and Feeding Disorders diagnostic cluster within the Mental Health and Behavioral Disorders chapter of the ICD-11. As such, WHO is specifically appealing to professionals working in this field, because it is critically important that there are a sufficient number of health professionals with relevant expertise to evaluate the proposals. Your participation matters!

To participate in this supplemental internet-based field study, first register for the Global Clinical Practice Network (GCP.N-- an international and multilingual network of mental health and primary care professionals). As a member of GCP.Network, you will be asked to provide information and feedback to WHO based on your clinical experience, expertise and knowledge. If you choose to participate, you may be asked to review materials, offer feedback about ideas or concepts that WHO is developing, or participate in specific studies based on your expertise in eating disorders. The information you provide will inform WHO’s decisions about the content and structure of the new classification system, as well as how that information will be presented to different users.

Registration for the GCPN takes only a few minutes to complete, and is available in eight languages (Spanish, French, English, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, Chinese and German). Once registered, you will receive on-line study requests no more than once a month, and each study will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You will never be asked to identify any of your patients and your responses will be kept confidential and secure. Data will be analyzed in aggregate form and used exclusively for the purpose of ICD-11 development.

We hope you will take the time to lend your expertise. The results of these studies will directly inform the development of the ICD-11. 

Register here for WHO’s Global Clinical Practice Network

Please address any questions or comments to info@gcpmail.net. Thank you for your participation and support.

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Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Ethics Board

Provider Views on Eating Disorder Treatment: Online Survey

Purpose of the research: To gain a better understanding of (1) current views regarding the relationship between patients’ characteristics and treatment focuses at various levels of care, and (2) views regarding the use of treatment non-negotiables and involuntary treatment.

Who can participate: Health care professionals that care for individuals with eating disorders

Topics covered:

  • Treatment for each level of care
  • The use of involuntary treatment

Completing this survey will contribute to our better understanding of decision-making processes and guidelines around eating disorder treatment allocation, and will help inform improvements in the efficiency and delivery of treatment.

Access the Survey

Ethics: This research project has been approved by the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Ethics Board.

Contact: For more information please email the research coordinator, Emily Seale, at eseale@cheo.on.ca, or call us at (613) 737-7600 ext 3803.

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Helfgott Research Institute at National University of Natural Medicine Research Study

Have you received integrative medical care for treatment of disordered eating? Are you willing to share your treatment experience? Join a research study investigating patients’ perceptions of integrative medical care for eating disorders.

You may qualify to participate in the study if:

  • You are a woman over the age of 18 and have been diagnosed with an eating disorder
  • You have received integrative medical care (including mind-body medicine such as yoga or meditation, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, functional medicine, art therapy, and/or Ayurvedic medicine) for the treatment of your eating disorder
  • You are willing to complete 2 questionnaires and 6 open-response questions regarding your treatment experience, all administered one time online. 

As a thank you for participation, those who complete the study will be entered into a drawing to win a single $50 gift card. 

Date of Review: 4/19/16
IRB Number: 041916B

For more information e-mail: IMED@nunm.edu or call: 503-552-1882.

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University of Miami Research Study on the Treatment of Adolescent Eating Disorder Patients

This study is a provider survey. We’re surveying anyone who works with child/adolescent eating disorder patients in a brief (10 min.), completely anonymous questionnaire.There is no compensation.

We seek to determine what specialty providers are doing in practice with regards to setting target weight for child/adolescent patients with a restrictive eating disorder (e.g. anorexia, ARFID, OSFED with dietary restriction etc.). Though numerous methods have been proposed for calculated expected body weight in young patients, it is less clear what, if anything, is the “industry standard” methodology used by physicians, psychologists, social workers and dieticians who specialize in the treatment of child/ adolescent eating disorders. The potential lack of consensus around this outcome variable has implications for assessment and treatment.

Study sample will include specialty providers of services to adolescent restrictive eating disorder patients including psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians, social workers, dieticians and any other providers currently active on specialty listservs. 

Inclusion criteria:

  • Age 18 years or older
  • Provider of services to adolescents with anorexia nervosa or restrictive eating disorders.
  • Fluent in English

All questions will refer to providers’ current practice(s) and there will be no follow-up questions.

If you have any questions about your rights as a research participant, please contact the University of Miami Human Subjects Research Office at 305-243-3195.

Access the Survey

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UCLA Research Study on Anorexia Nervosa

The UCLA Eating Disorder Research Program is looking for individuals to take part in a study that is providing:

  • Diagnostic evaluation
  • 2 MRI brain scans

You may be eligible if you:

  • Have Anorexia Nervosa
  • Are between the age of 13 and 19
  • Are right handed
  • Recently completed an inpatient, residential or intensive outpatient program

In addition, you will be paid for your participation ($125 and parking validation).

Study conducted by Jamie Feusner, M.D. and Michael Strober, Ph.D.
Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior

For more information contact:
310-206-0468
csheen@mednet.ucla.edu

http://www.semel.ucla.edu/bddanorexia

Protocol ID: IRB#10-001767 UCLA IRB Approved Approval Date: 2/3/2016 through 2/18/2017 Committee: North General IRB

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La Trobe University Online Research Study

How should we talk about eating disorders in the community? An expert consensus study. Do you have expertise as a professional in the field of eating disorders? Are you aged 18 or over?

If you fit these criteria, you may be eligible to participate in an online research study about how to talk about eating disorders in community settings. For further information, or if you are interested in participating, please visit the research website.

If you know of anyone who may be interested in participating in this study and has expertise in eating disorders, please feel free to forward this recruitment advertisement or direct them to the study website.

Joanna Doley (Ph.D. student)
Email: 18349097@students.latrobe.edu.au 
This study has ethics approval, UHEC approval number 15-062.

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Stanford University Family-Based Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa Research Study and Training

Interested in being trained and supervised in Family Based Treatment for adolescent Anorexia Nervosa? Stanford University and the University of California, San Francisco are conducting a research study funded by the National Institute of Health to explore the best way to provide high quality training to busy therapists. Training will be online and supervision will be provided by a Family Based Treatment expert free of charge. 

Check out our website for more information, or contact Kate Arnow, karnow@stanford.edu, phone 650-723-9182. For general information regarding questions, concerns, or complaints about research, research related injury, or the rights of research participants, please call (650) 723-5244 or toll-free 1-866-680-2906, or write to: 

Administrative Panel on Human Subjects in Medical Research 
Administrative Panels Office 
Stanford University, Stanford
CA 94305-5401

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Curtin University, Western Australia Research Call for Clinicians, Clients and Carers with Experience of Inpatient Care Eating Disorder Service

Do you work in an Inpatient Pediatric Eating Disorder Program? Have you previously spent time as an inpatient in a Pediatric Eating Disorder unit? Are you the carer of a young person who has been admitted into an inpatient program for Pediatric Eating Disorders? 

If your answer is ‘yes’ to any of these three questions you are invited to participate in a study that aims to look at what Clinicians, Clients, and Carers view as being important when it comes to the services provided in Pediatric Inpatient Eating Disorder Settings. Participation involves rating a series of statements regarding inpatient care at three separate points in time. Each ‘round’ is estimated to take about 20 minutes, and will commence early 2016. The study is organized through Curtin University, Western Australia. For more information or to register your interest in participating, visit our website.

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Smith College Research Study for Eating Disorder Clinicians

In efforts to examine the weighing practices of professionals treating patients with an eating disorder, I am looking for participants who are 18 or older, can read and write in English, hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher, and are currently working with a patient diagnosed with an eating disorder, such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, BED, or Purging Disorder. They survey includes several multiple choice questions and two open-ended questions. The survey should take roughly 10-15 minutes to complete. If you meet this criteria, I encourage you to complete my survey below. Unfortunately, I am unable to provide compensation for participation.

Complete the Survey

The data collected from this study will be used to complete my Master’s in Social Work (MSW). The results of the study may also be used in publications and presentations. I have completed the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) on line training course prior to HSR approval. The certificate of completion is on file at the SSW and was completed within the past four years.

This study protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Smith College School for Social Work Human Subjects Review Committee (HSRC).

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Reconnecting for Recovery: A Relational/Motivational Multifamily Therapy Group for Young Adults with Anorexia Nervosa

If you or a loved one are between the ages of 18-40 and struggling with Anorexia Nervosa or a Related Eating Disorder marked by food restriction and weight loss, you may quality to be in a research study of a new Multifamily Therapy Group Treatment for  young adults with Anorexia Nervosa – Reconnecting for Recovery. The University of Rochester School of Nursing is conducting a clinical study evaluating this new treatment involving the individual with the eating disorder and his/her identified family members. Family members can be adult family of origin members like parents and siblings or "family of choice" members like partners, close friends, and mentors. At least one identified family member and up to four may participate.

Eligible individuals and their family members can receive 16 sessions of Multifamily Therapy Group at NO COST and will receive movie vouchers and free parking passes. Participants not only receive the new treatment but also act as “co-scientists” in helping to evaluate this new treatment and refine the treatment manual. 

If you are interested, please contact the University of Rochester School of Nursing Study Coordinator, Judy Brasch at 585-275-6629. Access the study website »

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Massachusetts General Hospital:Eating Disorders Clinical & Research Program Neuroendocrine Unit

We offer clinical research studies for women and teenage girls with anorexia nervosa, and other low-weight eating disorders, between 10 and 70 years old.  We are investigating a variety of health concerns related to anorexia nervosa, including the genetic factors, treatments for bone loss, treatments for anxiety and depression, and causes of bone loss.  The studies include visits at MGH ranging from a single visit to multiple visits over the course of twelve months, and compensation ranges from $25 to $1000. 

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Adolescent Brain Imaging Study

Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the relationship between brain activity, hormones, and appetite and how they relate to eating disorder illness course

  • 10-21 years old
  • 4 outpatient visits over 18 months
  • Brain imaging (fMRI), physical examinations, cognitive measures, and hormonal evaluations
  • Up to $550 compensation, as well as reimbursement for parking and transportation

Email: anebrainstudy@partners.org

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Transdermal Estrogen in Older Premenopausal Women with Anorexia Nervosa

Studying the use of hormones as a treatment for bone loss in women with anorexia nervosa. The study includes a screening visit, a baseline visit, and two additional outpatient visits, and four phone check-ins over the course of six months.

  • 30-50 years old
  • 4 total visits over 6 months
  • Up to $450 in compensation
  • Bone density scans, physical examination, nutritional and hormonal evaluations

For more information about the studies, fill out our prescreening survey at  myresearchsurvey.org. Or, email us at myresearch@partners.or.

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Ecological Momentary Assessment of Eating Disorder Behaviours

Subject [2015-264], ethics approved 21/12/2015 -Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee (DUHREC)
Study ends: 30/01/2017

Contact:

Purpose of the study:
This study will examine whether abrupt shifts of scheme modes (a combination of belief and coping strategies) can be linked to eating disorder behaviors, by using an "in the moment" real-time reporting system known as "ecological momentary assessment" (EMA).

Who can take part?

  • Adults experiencing eating disorder symptoms.
  • Must have an iOS/Android smartphone to install a free app “Metricwire” which is required a part of participation in this research project. 

What does the study involve?
This study will be conducted on a daily basis using a method called the diary study for a period of 8 days.  

  1. Firstly, you will be invited to complete a web-based baseline questionnaire about your eating behaviours and beliefs. Submit your email address to register for the study at the end. Please note that you will be asked about your weight in this particular survey. 
  2. You will be emailed instructions to download “Metricwire” to your phone.
  3. Select our study “Ecological Momentary Assessment of Eating Disorder Behaviours" in the app. 
  4. You will complete some brief questions about your recent eating behaviors and relevant beliefs, 6 times/day, for 8 days.
  5. Upon completion, you will be eligible to go into a price draw to win an Apple iPad mini. 

How can you take part?
To find out more information about the study and to take part in the study: http://psych.hosted-sites.deakin.edu.au/ED_EMA.

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Provider Views on Eating Disorder Treatment: Online Survey

Purpose of the study:
To gain a better understanding of (1) current view(s) regarding the relationship between patients' characteristics and treatment focuses at various levels of care, and (2) view(s) regarding the use of treatment non-negotiables and involuntary treatment.

Who can participate:
Health care professionals that care for individuals with eating disorders

Topics covered:

  • Treatment for each level of care
  • The use of involuntary treatment

Completing this survey will contribute to our better understanding of decision-making processes and guidelines around eating disorder treatment allocation, and will help inform improvements in the efficiency and delivery of treatment. 

Access the Survey

Contact: For more information, please email the research coordinator, Emily Seale, at eseale@cheo.on.ca or call: (613) 737-7600 ext 3803

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Posting Guidelines

Research Recruitment Posting Procedure:

All requests must be approved by AED's Electronic Media Committee. Requests regarding industry sponsored research recruitment will also be forwarded to the Industry Liaison for review. Studies must have direct relevance to eating and/or weight-related disorders.

1. All requests for research recruitment advertisement must be accompanied by human subjects or ethics committee approval, study abstract, author list (which must include an Academy member), and the proposed text of the posting. 

2. Postings are free of charge for AED members, and $75 for non-members. Postings remain on the AED website for 6 months. A notification that a new study has been posted will be sent out via the AED listserv.

3. Forward all necessary information to info@aedweb.org.