Research Centre: The University of Melbourne
Location: This study will be conducted virtually and is open across Australia
Head of the Eating Disorder Lab and Postdoc Primary Project Supervisor: Isabel Krug
HREC: This study has been reviewed and approved by the University of Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee

Binge eating impacts millions globally, leading to severe health risks such as obesity, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome. Yet, many available approaches struggle to tackle these challenges effectively.

This study from the University of Melbourne is exploring a new, innovative approach to potentially help reduce binge eating and foster healthier eating habits. Participants will use an advanced chatbot and avatar that offers personalised guidance, meditation exercises, and real-time support for managing eating behaviors. Additionally, the study will assess the app’s potential to reduce cardiometabolic risk and stress-related eating, with future plans to integrate wearable sensors for more tailored, data-driven insights.

Join this cutting-edge research and play a role in shaping the future of binge eating treatment—sign up today.

• Participants will have access to a chatbot and avatar that offers personalised guidance, meditation exercises, and real-time support for managing eating behaviors at no cost.
• Participants will be compensated with a $50 gift voucher for participating in this study.
• Participants may experience improvements in their eating-related habits. 
• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit those struggling with binge eating in the future.
• Participants will be helping to advance medical research.

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
• Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.
• Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

• Men and women aged 18 and older
• Must not be pregnant 
• Must have been diagnosed with clinical Binge Eating Disorder by a health practitioner or experienced occasional binge eating episodes in response to stress or emotion.
• Must be able to virtually participate in this study over approximately 8 weeks.

The study team will explain the research in its entirety but some details are:

• Participants will be asked to use either a mindful eating chatbot app for 8 weeks or receive a mindful eating information leaflet. App users’ interactions with the chatbot will be stored to evaluate functionality and engagement.
• Participants will be asked to complete eligibility questionnaires at the start, mindful eating behavior and demographic surveys at the beginning and end of the study, and a final survey on the app’s acceptability, likability, and any tech issues.
• Participants will be asked to join a 45-60 minute Zoom focus group or one-on-one interview at the end of the study to discuss their experience with the app and provide recommendations for future app and sensor development.