Shortening duration of untreated illness in young people with first episode eating disorders: protocol of a randomised controlled feasibility trial of a smartphone friendly multi-modal decision-making tool (FREED-M) to improve help-seeking.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Early intervention gives young people the best chance to recover from eating disorders (EDs). An important focus of early intervention is shortening the time between a person first developing symptoms and starting treatment (duration of untreated eating disorder; DUED). Patient-related factors (e.g. poor mental health literacy and help-seeking difficulties) are strongly associated with DUED. The aims of our study are to co-design and test the feasibility of FREED-Mobile (FREED-M), an online intervention tool for young people with early-stage EDs. This tool aims to improve knowledge about EDs, increase motivation to seek treatment and teach early steps towards change or recovery, thus reducing DUED.

Methods

We will carry out a randomised controlled feasibility tria

SUBMITTER: Grycuk L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11804029 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature