FlexED: Full Threshold Body-Image Intervention for Young Women
Official title: FlexED: A Digital Gamified Early Intervention for Eating Disorders
Run by Duke University · NCT07732829 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A mobile, gamified ACT-based program is tested to see if it helps young women with eating disorders feel less distressed about their bodies and reduce symptoms.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 15 Years to 25 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 6 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Duke University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Durham, North Carolina) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | July 2028 |
| Study ends | July 2028 |
| Registry record updated | September 3, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07732829 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are females aged 15–25 with weight concerns and diagnosed with an eating disorder or full-threshold symptoms, able to participate in English and with no active psychosis, substance use disorder, or recent suicidal ideation.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals with non-English language needs, significant comorbid conditions, or recent changes in psychiatric medications may not benefit as readily.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study tests a digital, gamified early intervention based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for young women with eating disorder symptoms. Participants complete up to seven mobile sessions over eight weeks at home, featuring a character, storyline, interactive exercises, games, and rewards. The study uses a multiple-baseline design with gradual introduction of the intervention to measure changes in body-image flexibility and eating disorder symptoms. Outcomes include self-report measures and lab-like tasks assessing cognitive, affective, and attentional responses to body-image stimuli, as well as pre/post symptom assessments. The trial is conducted at Duke University with female participants aged 15–25 who meet DSM-5 criteria for an eating disorder or full-threshold symptoms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Participants could experience reduced body-image distress and improvements in eating disorder symptoms if the intervention is effective.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in digital ACT-based and body-image flexibility interventions has shown promise in reducing distress, though this exact digital, gamified early-intervention approach is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Female age 15-25 years * Weight Concerns Scale score of \>=47 * Meets diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder based on the DSM-5 Exclusion Criteria: * Psychosis, substance use disorder, or current suicidal ideation or self-harm * Start or change in psychiatric medications within the past month * Non-English speaking
Where it's running
-
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Rhonda Merwin, PhD
- Email: rhonda.merwin@duke.edu
- Phone: 919-681-7231
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
FlexED: A digital program to help young women see thoughts and feelings about their body in a friendlier way
This trial tests a smartphone-based, gamified ACT-inspired program called FlexED to help young women and girls at risk for eating disorders see how they think and feel about their bodies, and to see if it can be feasibly spread to more people.
-
DIGITAL, GAME-BASED EARLY INTERVENTION FOR EATING DISORDERS IN TEEN/YOUNG WOMEN
This trial tests a new digital, gamified program to see if it lowers eating disorder symptoms in girls and young women by helping them relate differently to body thoughts and feelings.
-
National Highly Specialized Care for Severe Self-Harm and Eating Disorders in Swedish Youth
This observational study tests how well NHV, a highly specialized care program, works for children and teens with severe self-harm or eating disorders by asking patients and their parents about their experiences and what changes they notice.
-
National Highly Specialized Care for adults with treatment-resistant self-harm and eating disorders (Substudy 1)
This study tests how people with severe, hard-to-turge self-harm or eating disorders in Sweden experience NHV care and whether the treatment helps with symptoms and daily functioning.
-
Influencer-delivered body image video to improve body confidence in adult women
A popular adult female influencer will share a 60-second video to see if it helps adult women feel more confident about their bodies compared with an active control video.
-
Collagen Supplements After Sleeve Gastrectomy
This observational study looks to see if taking collagen-containing supplements after sleeve gastrectomy affects muscle mass, body composition, and body image in adults who had bariatric surgery.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.