Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42797029›Full record

ArticleNutrients2026

Qualitative Feasibility and Usability Study of an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) Smartphone Application in Binge Eating Disorder Treatment.

Pauline W Jansen, Ivonne P M Derks, Judith van Russen Groen, Jeffrey van der Starre, Joran Jongerling, Hans W Hoek, Machteld Wery, Femke Truijens

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In one paragraph

Article in Nutrients, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Pauline W JansenDepartment of Psychology, Education, and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Ivonne P M DerksDepartment of Psychology, Education, and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Judith van Russen GroenDepartment of Psychology, Education, and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Jeffrey van der StarreParnassia Psychiatric Institute, Max Euwelaan 70, 3062 MB Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-2111-597X
Joran JongerlingTilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Professor Cobbenhagenlaan, 5037 DB Tilburg, The Netherlands.
Hans W HoekParnassia Psychiatric Institute, Max Euwelaan 70, 3062 MB Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Machteld WeryParnassia Psychiatric Institute, Max Euwelaan 70, 3062 MB Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Femke TruijensDepartment of Psychology, Education, and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Funding

ZonMw, The Dutch Organisation for knowledge and innovation in health, healthcare and well-being Fellowship 636320005
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveCognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for binge eating disorder (BED) is fairly effective, yet relapse remains problematic. Treatment outcomes may be improved if patients gain more insight into symptom patterns. In this qualitative study embedded in BED treatment, we evaluated user experiences with an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) smartphone application to self-monitor affect and binge eating episodes in daily life.

methodsParticipants were 20 adults who received group-CBT for BED at a mental health institute in the Netherlands. Via an EMA smartphone app, the participants filled out 5 micro-questionnaires daily for 6 weeks. An overview of mood fluctuations and binge eating episodes was graphically displayed in the app and discussed with the therapist. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants and 5 practitioners to evaluate feasibility and usefulness.

resultsQualitative analyses of the interviews showed that the app was perceived as user-friendly, yet invasive due to many registrations. This was reflected in low response rates (mean: 31.1%), with only 9 participants reaching a response rate above 30% (>65 of 210 EMA micro-questionnaires completed). Some participants thought the daily registrations were insightful, but some also perceived the registrations as confronting and shameful, suggesting potential iatrogenic effects.

conclusionsThis study offers a real-world example of using EMA in treatment and provides meaningful insights for developers of behaviour change-focused EMA tools. The experiences of the participants and practitioners were mixed, yet several indicated improved reflection and awareness of (fluctuations in) emotions. Given the cautiously positive feedback from several participants and therapists, we recommend a carefully designed evaluation, including a shorter assessment period, a control group and an assessment of emotional awareness.

Indexed as

Binge-Eating DisorderCognitive Behavioral TherapyEcological Momentary AssessmentMobile ApplicationsSmartphoneAdultFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNetherlandsQualitative ResearchSurveys and QuestionnairesTreatment OutcomeYoung Adultbinge eating disorderEMAfeasibilitym-healththerapy

Identifiers

PMID42797029
PMCPMC13610177

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.