Linardon, Jake, Messer, Mariel, Shatte, Adrian, Greenwood, Christopher J., Rosato, John, Rathgen, April, Skvarc, David, and Fuller-tyszkiewicz, Matthew (2022) Does the Method of Content Delivery Matter? Randomized Controlled Comparison of an Internet-Based Intervention for Eating Disorder Symptoms With and Without Interactive Functionality. Behavior Therapy, 53 (3). pp. 508-520.

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Abstract

Despite their potential as a scalable, cost-effective intervention format, self-guided Internet-based interventions for eating disorder (ED) symptoms continue to be associated with suboptimal rates of adherence and retention. Improving this may depend on the design of an Internet intervention and its method of content delivery, with interactive programs expected to be more engaging than static, text-based programs. However, causal evidence for the added benefits of interactive functionality is lacking. We conducted a randomized controlled comparison of an Internet-based intervention for ED symptoms with and without interactive functionality. Participants were randomized to a 4-week interactive (n = 148) or static (n = 145) version of an Internet-based, cognitive-behavioral program. The interactive version included diverse multimedia content delivery channels (video tutorials, graphics, written text), a smartphone app allowing users to complete the required homework exercises digitally (quizzes, symptom tracking, self-assessments), and progress monitoring features. The static version delivered identical intervention content but only via written text, and contained none of those interactive features. Dropout rates were high overall (58%), but were significantly—yet slightly—lower for the interactive (51%) compared to the static intervention (65%). There were no significant differences in adherence rates and symptom-level improvements between the two conditions. Adding basic interactive functionality to a digital intervention may help with study retention. However, present findings challenge prior speculations that interactive features are crucial for enhancing user engagement and symptom improvement.

Item ID:	81628
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1878-1888
Keywords:	eating disorders;Internet intervention;randomized controlled trial;e-health
Copyright Information:	© 2022 Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Date Deposited:	23 Jan 2024 00:56
FoR Codes:	46 INFORMATION AND COMPUTING SCIENCES > 4601 Applied computing > 460102 Applications in health @ 30% 46 INFORMATION AND COMPUTING SCIENCES > 4608 Human-centred computing > 460806 Human-computer interaction @ 50% 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5203 Clinical and health psychology > 520302 Clinical psychology @ 20%
SEO Codes:	22 INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES > 2204 Information systems, technologies and services > 220407 Human-computer interaction @ 80% 20 HEALTH > 2004 Public health (excl. specific population health) > 200409 Mental health @ 20%
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