Experiences of computer‐based and conventional self‐help interventions for eating disorders: A systematic review and meta‐synthesis of qualitative research

Yim, See Heng; Schmidt, Ulrike

doi:10.1002/eat.23142

Cited by 37 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…In the current context, perhaps the change in therapy space is beneficial as users could reflect and access support while living it. This supports the concept of agency synthesized in the meta-ethnography by Yim and Schmidt [ 9 ], where users have more control over the therapy and hence their recovery.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

“…In relation to theme 2, the flexibility of the web-based program transcends geographical and time restrictions, indicating an advantage of this form of intervention delivery, as previously noted in other qualitative studies (refer to the review by Yim and Schmidt [ 9 ]). A further advantage is the ease with which the intervention is integrated into people’s daily lives.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

“…However, to date, few such studies are available. A systematic review and metasynthesis of self-help interventions for EDs [ 9 ] identified only four studies that used qualitative methodology to understand people’s experience of web-based interventions. Through meta-ethnography, six concepts related to users’ experiences of the programs were synthesized.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring Participants’ Experiences of a Web-Based Program for Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder: Qualitative Study

et al. 2020

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Background Guided cognitive behavioral self-help is a recommended first-line treatment for eating disorders (EDs) such as bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge eating disorder (BED). Online versions of such self-help programs are increasingly being studied in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with some evidence that they can reduce ED symptoms, although intervention dropout is variable across interventions. However, in-depth research into participants’ experiences and views on the acceptability of web-based interventions is limited. Objective This is a qualitative process study of participants’ experiences of everyBody Plus, a web-based cognitive behavioral intervention, integrated into a large RCT to aid the interpretation of the main trial’s results. To our knowledge, this is the first such study in digital intervention for EDs research to include real-time feedback into the qualitative analysis. This study aims to build upon the emerging literature by qualitatively exploring participants’ experiences of a web-based intervention for BN and BED. Methods Participants were those who took part in the UK arm of a larger RCT investigating the efficacy of the everyBody Plus intervention. Reflexive thematic analysis was completed on 2 sources of data from the online platform: real-time feedback quotes provided at the end of completing a module on the platform (N=104) and semistructured telephone interview transcripts (n=12). Results Four main themes were identified. The first theme identified positive and negative user experiences, with a desire for a more customized and personalized intervention. Another theme positively reflected on how flexible and easy the intervention was to embed into daily life, compared with the silo of face-to-face therapy. The third theme identified how the intervention had a holistic impact cognitively, emotionally, interpersonally, and behaviorally. The final theme was related to how the intervention was not a one size fits all and how the perceived usefulness and relevance were often dependent on participants’ demographic and clinical characteristics. Conclusions Overall, participants reported positive experiences with the use of the everyBody Plus web-based intervention, including flexibility of use and the potential to holistically impact people’s lives. The participants also provided valuable suggestions for how similar future web-based interventions could be improved and, in the context of EDs, how programs can be designed to be more inclusive of people by encompassing different demographic and clinical characteristics.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring Participants’ Experiences of a Web-Based Program for Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder: Qualitative Study

et al. 2020

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“…As per prior research (Apolinário‐Hagen, Harrer, et al, 2018; Bohrer et al, 2017; McClay et al, 2016; Yim & Schmidt, 2019), the following hypotheses were derived: Attitudes toward e‐therapy would be relatively positive across the sample. A large percentage of participants would prefer face‐to‐face treatment over e‐therapy. A significant percentage of participants would intend to use e‐therapy if it were available to them. Unique correlates of e‐therapy preference and intentions will include: younger age; female sex; not receiving psychotherapy; more positive attitudes toward e‐therapy; greater stigma around professional help‐seeking; and more severe ED symptoms. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 71%

A survey study of attitudes toward, and preferences for, e‐therapy interventions for eating disorder psychopathology

Linardon

Shatte

Tepper

et al. 2020

Intl J Eating Disorders

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Objective: E-therapy shows promise as a solution to the barriers that stand in the way of people receiving eating disorder (ED) treatment. Despite the potential for etherapy to reduce the well-known treatment gap, little is known about public views and perspectives on this mode of intervention delivery. This study explored attitudes toward, and preferences for, e-therapy among individuals spanning the spectrum of eating pathology.Method: Survey data assessing e-therapy attitudes and preferences were analyzed from 713 participants recruited from the public. Participants were categorized into one of five subgroups based on the type of self-reported ED symptoms and severity/ risk level, ranging from high risk to a probable threshold or subthreshold ED. Results:Attitudes toward e-therapies appeared to be relatively positive; participants largely supported health care insurance coverage of costs for e-therapies, and were optimistic about the wide-ranging benefits of e-therapy. Although three-quarters of participants expressed a preference for face-to-face therapy, a significant percentage of participants (50%) reported an intention to use an e-therapy program for current or future eating problems, with intention ratings highest (70%) among those with probable bulimia nervosa (BN). Variables associated with an e-therapy preference were not currently receiving psychotherapy, more positive e-therapy attitudes, and greater stigma associated with professional help-seeking. Variables associated with e-therapy intentions were more positive e-therapy attitudes and a probable BN classification.Conclusions: Present findings have important implications for increasing online intervention acceptance, engagement, and help-seeking among those at different stages of illness.

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“…Finally, Yim and Schmidt () remind us of the importance to listen to both positive and negative feedback of past intervention users and to learn from their experiences. For the first time in the eating disorders field, the authors conducted a systematic review and meta‐synthesis of qualitative studies on guided self‐help interventions using the approach of meta‐ethnography.…”

Section: How Can We Optimize Technology‐enhanced Interventions For Eamentioning

confidence: 99%

Introduction to the special issue on advancing assessment of, and interventions for, eating disorders via innovative uses of technology

Bauer

Goldschmidt

2019

Intl J Eating Disorders

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The aim of this editorial is to introduce a Special Issue of the International Journal of Eating Disorders on “Advancing Assessment of, and Interventions for, Eating Disorders via Innovative Uses of Technology.” The 10 contributions to the Special Issue focus on the following main questions: (a) How can we optimize technology‐enhanced interventions for eating disorders? (b) To what extent can technology help professionals to reach underserved populations? (c) How can innovative technology‐enhanced tools improve assessment and treatment of eating disorders? The findings cumulatively suggest that technology can play a critical role in the detection and treatment of eating disorders, and may be used to enhance understanding of the etiology, maintenance, and course of these conditions. The contributions to this Special Issue have important implications for the conceptualization, design, and evaluation of technology‐enhanced interventions as well as for the optimization of current assessment methods. Hopefully, they will stimulate future research in this quickly evolving field.

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Experiences of computer‐based and conventional self‐help interventions for eating disorders: A systematic review and meta‐synthesis of qualitative research

Cited by 37 publications

References 43 publications

Exploring Participants’ Experiences of a Web-Based Program for Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder: Qualitative Study

Exploring Participants’ Experiences of a Web-Based Program for Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder: Qualitative Study

A survey study of attitudes toward, and preferences for, e‐therapy interventions for eating disorder psychopathology

Introduction to the special issue on advancing assessment of, and interventions for, eating disorders via innovative uses of technology

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