Recruiting

MI-Coach: ED

Sponsor:

University of British Columbia

Code:

NCT06801197

Conditions

Eating Disorders

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

MI-Coach: ED Mobile App

Study Details

Brief summary:

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate whether a mobile app-based motivational interviewing intervention (MI-Coach: ED) can improve motivation and readiness for treatment in adults with eating disorders who are currently on waitlists for provincially funded eating disorder services in British Columbia. The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Does the use of MI-Coach: ED improve overall motivation, confidence, and readiness for treatment compared to treatment-as-usual (waitlist with no intervention)?
  • Does the app help mitigate declines in motivation over time among waitlisted individuals?

Researchers will compare participants using the MI-Coach: ED app to a delayed treatment control group to assess differences in motivation, readiness for treatment, and associated clinical outcomes.

Participants will:

  • Treatment group: Use the MI-Coach: ED app for four weeks, completing interactive modules focused on motivation and readiness for change, while also completing weekly brief assessments of motivation.
  • Delayed treatment group: Remain on the waitlist with no intervention for four weeks while completing weekly brief assessments of motivation. After this period, they will receive access to the MI-Coach: ED app and be integrated into the treatment group.
  • Complete pre-test and post-test questionnaires at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks assessing motivation, eating pathology, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.

This study aims to inform evidence-based practices for reducing the adverse effects of long waitlist durations on individuals with eating disorders.

Conditions

Eating Disorders

Study ID

NCT06801197

Start date

Oct 21, 2025

Status verified date

May, 2026

Completion date

Sep, 2027

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Jun, 2027

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Must self-identify as a woman, including cisgender or transgender individuals.
  • Must be at least 18 years old at the time of enrollment.
  • Currently on a waitlist to receive treatment for an eating disorder at provincially funded eating disorder programs in British Columbia.
  • Meets criteria for a threshold or subthreshold eating disorder, including anorexia nervosa (restricting or binge/purge subtype), bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED).
  • Able to read and understand English fluently.
  • Owns or has regular access to a smartphone or mobile device capable of running the MI-Coach: ED app.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Does not identify as a woman, regardless of sex assigned at birth.
  • Currently receiving active treatment for an eating disorder, such as outpatient therapy, inpatient care, or day programs.
  • Diagnosed with a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder or other psychotic disorder.
  • Presence of a cognitive impairment or sensory deficit (e.g., severe visual or hearing impairment) that would interfere with the ability to use the app or complete study assessments.
  • History of a recent traumatic brain injury or neurological condition that might impact participation.
  • Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigators, would interfere with the participant's ability to comply with the study protocol or complete the intervention.

Study Design

Enrollment

74 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Sequential

Primary purpose

Supportive Care

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Immediate Treatment Group (MI-Coach: ED Users)

Participants randomized to the immediate treatment group will begin using the MI-Coach: ED app immediately for a four-week intervention period. During this time, participants will complete interactive modules designed to enhance motivation and readiness for treatment, focusing on topics such as ambivalence, self-acceptance, compassionate motivation, and behavior change strategies. Weekly brief assessments of motivation and readiness for change will be completed throughout the initial four-week period.

no intervention: Delayed Treatment Group (Waitlist Control)

Participants randomized to the delayed treatment group will remain on the waitlist without access to the MI-Coach: ED app for the first four weeks. During this period, participants will complete weekly brief assessments of motivation and readiness for change to evaluate changes while waiting for access to the intervention. No additional interventions or activities will be provided during this initial four-week period.

experimental: Combined Treatment Group

This arm includes all participants who engage with the MI-Coach: ED app during the eight weeks following the initial four-week period. Participants from the immediate treatment group (Arm 1) will continue to use the app for the full 12 weeks of the study, including an eight-week extended intervention period and follow-up assessments at 8 and 12 weeks to evaluate the app's sustained effects. Participants transitioning from the delayed treatment group (Arm 2) will also use the app for an eight-week intervention period after their initial four-week waitlist phase, ensuring both groups have the same opportunity to complete the full intervention. Weekly assessments of motivation and readiness for change will continue for all participants during their respective intervention periods, along with follow-up assessments to compare immediate and delayed access effects, as well as the app's long-term impact on motivation and clinical outcomes.

Interventions

MI-Coach: ED Mobile App

The MI-Coach: ED mobile app is a self-guided intervention designed to enhance motivation and readiness for treatment in adults with eating disorders. The app includes seven sequential modules based on motivational interviewing (MI) principles, addressing ambivalence, self-acceptance, compassionate motivation, behavior change goals, sustain and change talk, commitment language, and relapse prevention. Each module incorporates interactive content, including educational videos, articles, and exercises, tailored to support motivation across a range of eating disorder diagnoses. The app is designed to be user-friendly and scalable, providing an accessible, cost-effective solution for individuals on waitlists for formal eating disorder treatment.

Primary outcome measure

  • Change from Baseline in Overall Motivation for Treatment as Measured by the Readiness and Motivation Questionnaire (RMQ) at 4 Weeks [ Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of initial study arm at 4 weeks ]
  • Rate of Change in Weekly Motivation Levels as Measured by the Motivational Stages of Change for Adolescents Recovering from an Eating Disorder (MSCARED) During the Initial 4 Weeks [ Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of initial study arm at 4 weeks ]
  • Change from Baseline in Confidence to Engage in Treatment as Measured by the Confidence Subscale of the Readiness and Motivation Questionnaire (RMQ) at 4 Weeks [ Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of initial study arm at 4 weeks ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Maya Libben, PhD, R.Psych.

250-807-9026maya.libben@ubc.ca

Amané Halicki-Asakawa, M.A.

amaneha@student.ubc.ca

Locations

Interior Health, Eating Disorders Program

Recruiting

Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Contacts

Amane Halicki-Asakawa

250 807 9026amaneha@student.ubc.ca

Fraser Health Eating Disorders Program

Recruiting

Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

Contacts

Amane Halicki-Asakawa

250 807 9026amaneha@student.ubc.ca

Vancouver Coastal Health, Eating Disorders Program

Recruiting

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Contacts

Amane Halicki-Asakawa

250 807 9026amaneha@student.ubc.ca

More Information

Sponsor

University of British Columbia

Last update posted

May 8, 2026

Last verified

May, 2026

Keywords

  • eating disorders
  • digital interventions
  • motivational interviewing
  • treatment barriers

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of British Columbia on 2026-05-08.