Feasibility and acceptability of AVATAR therapy in eating disorders
Research type
Research Study
Full title
AVATAR therapy to reduce the power of the eating disorder voice in eating disorders: collaborative development and feasibility testing
IRAS ID
292346
Contact name
Valentina Cardi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
This project will answer the overarching research question “What is the feasibility of developing and implementing AVATAR therapy to reduce the power of the eating disorder voice in patients with eating disorders?”. The aims are: 1) to use a collaborative approach that involves patients, carers and clinicians to adapt the AVATAR therapy in psychosis for patients with eating disorders and 2) to assess the feasibility of using this therapy in eating disorders. For the first aim, two collaborative workshops will be organised with a total of 16 people with lived experience of the illness (patients or carers) and 16 clinicians (approximately eight people/workshop), to review the contents of AVATAR therapy for eating disorders developed by Dr Valentina Card and Dr Thomas Ward, based on AVATAR therapy for psychosis. Dr Cardi and Dr Ward will describe the structure and content of the therapy manual and will encourage the members of the group to provide feedback. The workshop will be video recorded. Dr Cardi and Dr Ward will revise the therapy manual based on an iterative process of feedback and review.
For the second aim, the feasibility of using AVATAR therapy in eating disorders will be tested using non-concurrent multiple baselines single case experimental design. The first stage (A1) will involve participants being randomly allocated to either a two, three or four week-baseline. The second will be the intervention phase (B) where participants will receive the AVATAR treatment which will last approximately 6 weeks. The third stage (A2) will be a 4-week follow-up period after the intervention phase, where participants will also complete a qualitative interview. Participants will be randomly allocated to variable baselines using a random number generator.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0384
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jun 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion