Cheung Lauryn Gar-Mun, Thomas Pamela Carien, Brvar Eva, Rowe Sarah
Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
JMIR Ment Health. 2025 Jan 3;12:e57795. doi: 10.2196/57795.
Digital interventions typically involve using smartphones or PCs to access online or downloadable self-help and may offer a more accessible and convenient option than face-to-face interventions for some people with mild to moderate eating disorders. They have been shown to substantially reduce eating disorder symptoms, but treatment dropout rates are higher than for face-to-face interventions. We need to understand user experiences and preferences for digital interventions to support the design and development of user-centered digital interventions that are engaging and meet users' needs.
This study aims to understand user experiences and user preferences for digital interventions that aim to reduce mild to moderate eating disorder symptoms in adults.
We conducted a metasynthesis of qualitative studies. We searched 6 databases for published and unpublished literature from 2013 to 2024. We searched for studies conducted in naturalistic or outpatient settings, using primarily unguided digital self-help interventions designed to reduce eating disorder symptoms in adults with mild to moderate eating disorders. We conducted a thematic synthesis using line-by-line coding of the results and findings from each study to generate themes.
A total of 8 studies were included after screening 3695 search results. Overall, 7 metathemes were identified. The identified metathemes included the appeal of digital interventions, role of digital interventions in treatment, value of support in treatment, communication at the right level, importance of engagement, shaping knowledge to improve eating disorder behaviors, and design of the digital intervention. Users had positive experiences with digital interventions and perceived them as helpful for self-reflection and mindfulness. Users found digital interventions to be convenient and flexible and that they fit with their lifestyle. Overall, users noticed reduced eating disorder thoughts and behaviors. However, digital interventions were not generally perceived as a sufficient treatment that could replace traditional face-to-face treatment. Users have individual needs, so an ideal intervention would offer personalized content and functions.
Users found digital interventions for eating disorders practical and effective but stressed the need for interventions to address the full range of symptoms, severity, and individual needs. Future digital interventions should be cocreated with users and offer more personalization. Further research is needed to determine the appropriate balance of professional and peer support and whether these interventions should serve as the first step in the stepped care model.
PROSPERO CRD42023426932; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=426932.
数字干预通常涉及使用智能手机或个人电脑来获取在线或可下载的自助资源，对于一些患有轻至中度饮食失调症的人来说，这可能比面对面干预提供了更易获取且更便捷的选择。研究表明，数字干预能显著减轻饮食失调症状，但治疗退出率高于面对面干预。我们需要了解用户对数字干预的体验和偏好，以支持设计和开发以用户为中心、引人入胜且满足用户需求的数字干预措施。
本研究旨在了解旨在减轻成人群体轻至中度饮食失调症状的数字干预的用户体验和用户偏好。
我们对定性研究进行了元综合分析。我们在6个数据库中搜索了2013年至2024年已发表和未发表的文献。我们搜索了在自然主义或门诊环境中进行的研究，这些研究主要使用旨在减轻患有轻至中度饮食失调症的成年人饮食失调症状的无指导数字自助干预措施。我们通过对每项研究的结果和发现进行逐行编码来进行主题综合分析，以生成主题。
在筛选了3695条搜索结果后，共纳入了8项研究。总体而言，确定了7个元主题。确定的元主题包括数字干预的吸引力、数字干预在治疗中的作用、治疗中支持的价值、适当水平的沟通、参与的重要性、塑造知识以改善饮食失调行为以及数字干预的设计。用户对数字干预有积极的体验，并认为它们有助于自我反思和正念。用户发现数字干预方便灵活，且符合他们的生活方式。总体而言，用户注意到饮食失调的想法和行为有所减少。然而，数字干预通常不被视为足以替代传统面对面治疗的充分治疗方法。用户有个人需求，因此理想的干预措施应提供个性化的内容和功能。
用户发现用于饮食失调的数字干预实用且有效，但强调干预措施需要解决所有症状、严重程度和个人需求。未来的数字干预应与用户共同创建，并提供更多个性化服务。需要进一步研究以确定专业支持和同伴支持的适当平衡，以及这些干预措施是否应作为阶梯式护理模式的第一步。
PROSPERO CRD42023426932；https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=426932
