Designing Ruby: Protocol for a 2-Arm, Brief, Digital Randomized Controlled Trial for Internalized Weight Bias.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Digital Health

Background:

• Internalized weight bias, or weight self-stigma, negatively impacts health behaviors and outcomes.
• Low self-compassion is linked to higher internalized weight bias, suggesting self-compassion as a potential intervention target.
• Existing research has not fully explored self-compassion's role in mitigating internalized weight bias.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a 4-week digital self-compassion intervention in reducing internalized weight bias.
• To compare the intervention's effects against a wait-list control group.
• To establish a scalable digital treatment for internalized weight bias.

Main Methods:

• The Ruby trial is a 2-arm randomized controlled trial involving 80 adults with elevated internalized weight bias and BMI >30 kg/m².
• A smartphone-delivered intervention includes psychoeducation, mindfulness, and self-compassion practices.
• Data collection is ongoing, with intent-to-treat analyses planned using ANCOVA and linear mixed models.

Main Results:

• The study protocol was finalized in December 2020.
• Data collection is currently in progress.
• Results on intervention efficacy are pending.

Conclusions:

• The Ruby trial is the first digital, standalone self-compassion intervention for internalized weight bias.
• Its digital format offers potential for high scalability and accessibility.
• This intervention may be delivered independently or as an adjunct to other treatments, expanding psychological intervention options.