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Optimizing a Digital Chatbot for Eating Disorders

This study is testing and improving a digital chatbot program called Wysa, which uses cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help adults with eating disorders. Wysa offers guided self-help modules. Researchers want to find out which parts of the chatbot are most effective in reducing eating disorder symptoms. You might be able to join if you are 18 or older, own a smartphone, speak English, live in the US, and have an eating disorder but are not currently in treatment for it. The study will measure changes in eating disorder symptoms after six months to see how well Wysa works. The current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 800 participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of 16 different versions of the chatbot or a waitlist control group.
What's involved
If you participate, you will engage with the Wysa digital chatbot program daily for eight weeks.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your eating disorder symptoms will be measured at 6 months after starting the study.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07218302

Eating Disorder Chatbot Optimization

Recruiting
PHASE2Ages 18+InterventionalTreatment
Washington University School of Medicine
~800 participants
Updated 2026-07-21 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Digital Chatbot Program

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
ED psychopathology; ED Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q)
Measured over 6 months

Conditions

Eating Disorders

Explore related trials

Eating Disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Missouri1

Study leadership

  • Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft, Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Washington University School of Medicine

Who to contact

Marianna B. Horton, B.S./B.A.
[email protected]
3149355843
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

18+ years old
Owns a smartphone
Speaks English
US resident
Screens for a clinical or subclinical eating disorder
Low suicidality
Not currently in treatment for an eating disorder
Does not have a medical condition or take medications that impact appetite/weight
Not currently pregnant

Exclusion

Below 18 years of age
Does not own a smartphone
Does not speak English
Lives outside the US
Screens as: at risk for an eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, atypical anorexia nervosa, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, or not at risk for an ED
High suicidality
In treatment for an eating disorder
Has a medical condition or takes medication(s) that impact appetite/weight
Currently pregnant

What this trial measures

  • ED psychopathology; ED Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q)6 months

    The EDE-Q is a 28-item inventory derived from an ED diagnostic interview, which asks self-reported concerns with weight and shape, and engagement in ED behaviors, over the last 28 days. Each item is scored from 0-6, with 0 being "No days" and 6 being "Every day". An average is taken of all items participants respond to for a total global score (with possible scores ranging from 0 to 6), where higher scores indicate greater symptomology.