A pilot feasibility and acceptability trial of an internet indicated prevention program for perfectionism to reduce eating disorder symptoms in adolescents

Purpose

Perfectionism is a transdiagnostic risk factor for eating disorders. Treating perfectionism can reduce symptoms of eating disorders. No research has examined an indicated prevention trial using internet-based Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Perfectionism (ICBT-P) in adolescent girls at elevated risk for eating disorders. Our aim was to conduct a preliminary feasibility trial using a co-designed ICBT-P intervention. It was hypothesised that a higher proportion of participants in the ICBT-P condition would achieve reliable and clinically significant change on perfectionism, eating disorders, anxiety and depression, compared to waitlist control.

Methods

Twenty-one adolescent girls with elevated symptoms of eating disorders (M age = 16.14 years) were randomised to a 4-week online feasibility trial of a co-designed ICBT-P prevention program or waitlist control. Qualitative surveys were used to gain participant perspectives.

Results

The ICBT-P condition had a higher proportion of participants achieve reliable change and classified as recovered on perfectionism and symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety, compared to waitlist control. Qualitative findings indicated that 100% of participants found the program helpful.

Conclusion

The results indicate ICBT-P is a feasible and acceptable program for adolescent girls with elevated eating disorder symptoms. Future research is required to examine outcomes in a randomised controlled trial.

Level of evidence

Level III: Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case–control analytic studies.

Trial registration number

This trial was prospectively registered with Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12620000951954P) on 23/09/2020.