An important development in the field of public health is the emergence of behavioral health technologies and mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps). Recovery Record (RR) is a self-monitoring app that aims to enhance engagement in recovery for individuals with eating disorders (EDs), and has demonstrated wide appeal and reach over its 2-year period of prototype-testing. In line with the objectives of a Fast Track SBIR project, we aim to develop the prototype into an evidence-based adaptive intervention and test it against the current one-size-fits-all approach. RR's core functionality is eating and symptom self-monitoring, which preliminary data reported in this application suggests can facilitate a clinically meaningful reduction in symptoms in users with specific characteristics. The most potent predictor of symptom reduction is severity of cognitive distortions. The next step in app development and the first aim of our work program is to develop and pilot content that helps users challenge distorted thinking tailored to the needs of their symptom profile. In the second phase, we will randomize registered users of RR to receive either RR augmented with content tailored to their needs (RR-A), or RR in its current standard format (RR-S). We will test the efficacy of RR-A by comparing it to the standard product (RR-S). By the end of the study, the resultant high-quality evidence-based product will have commercial value. The overarching purpose of this study is to build on the success of RR-S and develop it into a high quality evidence based adaptive intervention (RR-A).

Public Health Relevance

Recovery Record (RR) is a self-monitoring app that aims to enhance engagement in recovery for individuals with eating disorders (EDs), and has demonstrated wide appeal and reach over its 2-year period of prototype- testing. In line with the objectives of a Fast Track SBIR project, we aim to develop the prototype into an evidence-based adaptive intervention.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
5R44MH108221-03
Application #
9276789
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-RPHB-C (10)B)
Program Officer
Haim, Adam
Project Start
2016-05-23
Project End
2018-05-31
Budget Start
2017-06-01
Budget End
2018-05-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$388,241
Indirect Cost
Name
Recovery Record Research, Inc.
Department
Type
Domestic for-Profits
DUNS #
079319303
City
Palo Alto
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94304
Kim, Jane Paik; Sadeh-Sharvit, Shiri; Darcy, Alison M et al. (2018) The Utility and Acceptability of a Self-Help Smartphone Application for Eating Disorder Behaviors. J Technol Behav Sci 3:161-164
Darcy, Alison M; Lock, James (2017) Using Technology to Improve Treatment Outcomes for Children and Adolescents with Eating Disorders. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 26:33-42