Study Comparing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Supportive Diabetes Counseling for Eating Disorders in Type 1 Diabetes

This study is testing two different approaches to help people with Type 1 Diabetes and eating disorders: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Supportive Diabetes Counseling. You might also be placed in a waitlist group. The goal is to see if these treatments can improve blood sugar control (glycemic control), reduce eating disorder symptoms, and help with managing diabetes. To join, you need to be between 16 and 50 years old, have Type 1 Diabetes, and experience binge eating or problematic weight control behaviors, including withholding insulin. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status, but plans to enroll 235 people.

Study design
This is a randomized controlled trial comparing two active treatments (ACT and Supportive Diabetes Counseling) to a waitlist control group, involving 235 participants.
What's involved
If you are in an active treatment group, you will have 12 therapy sessions over 12-16 weeks and use a mobile phone for support between sessions. You will also have assessments at several points over 36 weeks.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 6 months after treatment, with assessments at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-treatment.

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NCT05540704

Study Comparing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Supportive Diabetes Counseling and a Waitlist Control for Eating Disorders in Type 1 Diabetes

Recruiting
NAAges 16–50InterventionalTreatment
Duke University
~235 participants
Updated 2026-02-25 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:ACTSupportive Diabetes Counseling

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in glycemic control as indexed by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)
Measured over baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 36 weeks
+3 more outcomes measured
Type 1 Diabetes
Eating Disorders
Disordered Eating Behaviors
Purging (Eating Disorders)
Binge-Eating Disorder
2 sites across 2 states
North Carolina1
Rhode Island1
  • Rhonda Merwin, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Duke University faculty

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

16-50 years of age
Diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes
Eating disorder characterized by binge eating and/or problematic weight control behaviors, including withholding insulin (Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating and Purging Disorder spectrum diagnoses)
Independently manages diabetes (not reliant on a caregiver)
16-50 years of age
Diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes
DEPR-R score \>=20 but does not meet criteria for the primary cohort

Exclusion

Active suicidal ideation
Diagnosis of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder or Anorexia Nervosa spectrum diagnoses
Hypoglycemic unawareness as assessed by the Gold Method and multiple severe episodes of hypoglycemia requiring 3rd party assistance in the last 2 years
Current substance abuse disorder or current or past psychotic disorder
NonEnglish speaking
  • Change in glycemic control as indexed by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 36 weeks

    CGM indices of time in target glycemic range, mean blood sugar, frequency of Level 1 and 2 hyperglycemia and blood glucose variability

  • Change in eating disorder symptoms as indexed by the Diabetes Eating Problems Survey-Revised (DEPS-R)baseline, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks

    Severity of eating and body image concerns, frequency of engagement in maladaptive eating and weight control behaviors, specifically in the context of diabetes. Scores range from 0-80, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity (worse outcome).

  • Change in diabetes self-management as indexed by the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnairebaseline, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks

    Engagement in activities necessary to manage diabetes, including checking blood sugar and administering insulin. Scores range from 0-10 with higher scores indicating better self-management.

  • Change in glycemic control as indexed by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)baseline, 24 weeks, 36 weeks

    Glycated hemoglobin (percentage of red blood cells that are glycated providing an estimate of average blood glucose over 3 months)