Developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chatbot for Adolescents and Young Adults With Eating Disorders

Recruiting

Developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Exposure Therapy Chatbot for Adolescents and Young Adults With Eating Disorders

Who can join

Ages 12 to 26 · All sexes

Full eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age is between or equal to 12-26 years
* Admitted to the Penn State Health Eating Disorder Partial Hospital Program (PHP) or Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
* Have a personal smartphone
* Have a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge-eating disorder (BED), or other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED)
* Be English speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
* Have acute suicidality
* Diagnosis of an intellectual disability

About the study

The goal of this study is to develop and refine an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Exposure Therapy for Eating Disorders chatbot web-app that effectively engages adolescents and young adults and decreases anxiety about weight gain. Participants will use the web-app as a supplemental therapeutic tool during their first six weeks of treatment in a Partial Hospitalization Program. Participants will complete assessments every two weeks, including: (1) semi-structured interviews about their experience with the chatbot web-app; (2) implementation outcome measures (e.g., feasibility, usability, acceptability); and (3) anxiety about weight gain.

What is being tested

"Exp-ED" Digital Exposure-Therapy Chatbot app (behavioral)

Sponsor: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center · Participants: 20 · Started: Mar 23, 2026

Contact the study team

Jamal H Essayli, PhD · Phone: (717) 531-0003

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07237607

Locations in the U.S.

Pennsylvania

Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey

Conditions

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.