JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

App-based interventions designed to prevent and treat eating disorders have considerable potential to overcome known barriers to treatment-seeking. Existing apps have shown efficacy in terms of symptom reduction, though uptake and retention issues are common. To ensure apps meet the needs and preferences of those for whom they were designed, it is critical to understand the lived experience of potential users and involve them in the process of design, development, and delivery. Yet few app-based interventions are pre-tested on and co-designed with end users prior to randomized controlled trials.

Objective:

To address this, the current study used a highly novel design thinking approach to provide context and a lived experience perspective of the end user, allowing for a deeper level of understanding.

Methods:

Seven young women (Mage = 25.83, SD = 5.34; range 21-33 years) who self-identified as having a history of body image issues or eating disorders were recruited. Participants were interviewed about their lived experience of body image and eating disorders and reported their needs and preferences for app-based eating disorder interventions. Traditional (thematic analysis) and novel (empathy mapping) analyses were performed, providing a lived experience perspective of eating disorders and identifying the needs and preferences of this population in relation to app-based interventions for eating disorders. Key challenges and opportunities of app-based eating disorder interventions were also identified.

Results:

Findings highlighted the importance of understanding and identifying problematic eating disorder symptoms for the user, helpful practices for recovery which identify personal values and goals, the role of social support in facilitating hope, and aspects of usability to promote continued engagement and recovery.

Conclusions:

Practical guidance and recommendations are described for those developing app-based eating disorder interventions. These findings have the potential to inform practices to enhance participant uptake and retention in the context of app-based interventions for this population.