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A Smartphone Application Based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills for Binge Eating Episodes: Study Protocol for a
Telma Cruz1,2, Tiago B Ferreira1,3, Debra L Safer4
1Center for Psychology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 29, 2025
Summary
This study evaluates eMOTE, a smartphone app using emotion regulation and CBT for binge eating in women. It aims to provide an accessible alternative to traditional therapy for eating disorders.
Area of Science:
- Digital therapeutics
- Clinical psychology
- Eating disorder research
Background:
- Smartphone applications offer a novel approach to psychotherapy.
- Research on unguided self-help apps for binge eating is limited.
- Existing interventions often focus solely on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of the eMOTE application for binge eating.
- To assess eMOTE's effectiveness in improving emotion regulation and reducing binge eating.
- To explore smartphone technology as an alternative to conventional psychotherapy for eating disorders.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving at least 68 females with binge eating.
- Participants are randomized to an 8-week intervention group with eMOTE access or a waitlist control.
- Assessments include binge eating frequency, eating disorder psychopathology, emotion regulation, and mindfulness.
Main Results:
- Primary outcomes measure binge eating frequency and symptomatology.
- Secondary outcomes assess a wide range of psychological and behavioral factors related to eating disorders.
- Data collection occurs at baseline, post-intervention, and 2-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- This study will add to the literature on digital interventions for binge eating.
- eMOTE integrates emotion regulation skills with CBT strategies, offering a unique approach.
- Findings will provide insights into the utility of emotion regulation and food monitoring components in a standalone app.
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