PrevED MR: Using mixed reality to help teens and young adults regulate emotions and prevent eating disorders

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluates the feasibility and potential effects of PrevED MR, a group-based preventive intervention for individuals aged 13 to 35 at risk of developing eating disorders. The program blends dialectical behavior therapy skills with mixed-reality and virtual reality activities to support emotion regulation, mindfulness, distress tolerance, and body-related acceptance. Participants are assigned to PrevED MR or a waiting-list control for 6 weeks (12 sessions total, held face-to-face in small groups) with assessments at baseline and after the intervention. Outcomes include eating disorder symptoms, body image acceptance, emotion regulation strategies, rumination, usability, sense of presence, cybersickness, satisfaction, and adherence. The trial is designed to inform feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary signals of benefit to guide future studies.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adolescents and young adults aged 13 to 35 years.
* Spanish-speaking participants who are able to understand the study procedures and complete the assessment instruments.
* Students recruited from participating schools, universities, or related recruitment settings.
* Participants at mid-to-high risk of developing eating disorders, as assessed by the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and selected subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3).
* Participants who provide informed consent. For minors, informed consent from a parent or legal guardian will also be required, together with the minor's assent when applicable.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current or past self-reported diagnosis of an eating disorder.
* Current severe psychiatric symptoms or diagnosis that could interfere with participation, including suicidal, manic, or psychotic symptoms.
* Severe neurodevelopmental disorder, intellectual disability, or other cognitive impairment that could interfere with understanding or completing the study procedures.
* Physical, motor, or sensory impairment that could interfere with the assessment procedures or the use of the mixed/virtual reality intervention.
* Current psychological or pharmacological treatment for a mental health disorder delivered on a weekly or biweekly basis.
* Inability to understand Spanish.
* Failure to provide informed consent. For minors, lack of parent or legal guardian consent will also be an exclusion criterion.

Where it's running

• Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
  Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Bruno Porras García, PhD — Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
• Study coordinator: Bruno Porras Garcia, PhD
• Email: bporras@uic.es
• Phone: +34 645482240

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.