--- title: Chatbot Intervention Improves Eating Disorder Outcomes description: "Bridging the Gap: How a Chatbot Single-Session Intervention Improves Outcomes for Those Awaiting Eating Disorder Treatment" image: https://blog.jmir.org/hubfs/Gemma%20Sharp%20blog%20(1).png --- [![JMIR Publications logo](https://blog.jmir.org/hs-fs/hubfs/JMIR-Publications_logo_2020_original.png?width=550&height=109&name=JMIR-Publications_logo_2020_original.png "JMIR Publications logo")](http://www.jmirpublications.com) Open main menu Close main menu [Research News](https://blog.jmir.org/tag/research-news) # Chatbot Intervention Improves Eating Disorder Outcomes [JMIR Publications](https://blog.jmir.org/author/jmir-publications-1) Published Date: 19 June 2025 11:21 a.m. [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.jmir.org/chatbot-intervention-improves-eating-disorder-outcomes) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.jmir.org/chatbot-intervention-improves-eating-disorder-outcomes) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.jmir.org/chatbot-intervention-improves-eating-disorder-outcomes) ![Bridging the Gap: How a Chatbot Single-Session Intervention Improves Outcomes for Those Awaiting Eating Disorder Treatment](https://blog.jmir.org/hubfs/Gemma%20Sharp%20blog%20(1).png) Professor Gemma Sharp, a Clinical Psychologist based in Melbourne, Australia, and the Founding Director of the [International Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders](https://emhicglobal.com/global-news/emhic-partner-news/consortium-for-research-in-eating-disorders/), recently led the publication of a significant paper in the [Journal of Medical Internet Research](https://www.jmir.org/). The article, titled "[The Effectiveness of a Chatbot Single-Session Intervention for People on Waitlists for Eating Disorder Treatment: Randomized Controlled Trial](https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e70874)," explores a novel approach to supporting individuals awaiting eating disorder treatment.   In their study, the researchers investigated the impact of a chatbot, ED ESSI, on individuals aged 16 and over with any eating disorder diagnosis. Recognizing the often lengthy waitlists for eating disorder treatment, the team aimed to find an effective way to offer support during this challenging period. The research involved two groups: one half of the participants received support from the ED ESSI chatbot, while the other half received similar information but not delivered via a chatbot. Promising Outcomes from the Chatbot Intervention The results were incredibly encouraging. The study found that individuals who engaged with the chatbot experienced significant improvements in their eating disorder symptoms, reported reduced depression and anxiety, and showed overall better life functioning at both one and three months after using the intervention. A particularly remarkable finding was that nearly 100% of the individuals who used the chatbot went on to commence in-person treatment when it became available. This is a rare and highly positive outcome in the field of eating disorders, where treatment engagement can often be a challenge. The research team chose JMIR Publications for this study due to its outstanding reputation, particularly within the realm of chatbot-focused research, which was central to their paper. Their prior chatbot research published with the *Journal of Medical Internet Research* had already achieved high visibility and readership among both researchers and the general public, and the team anticipates similar success for this latest publication. For a deeper dive into the findings and the methodology of this study, readers are encouraged to access the full published article: "[The Effectiveness of a Chatbot Single-Session Intervention for People on Waitlists for Eating Disorder Treatment: Randomized Controlled Trial](https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e70874)" in Journal of Medical Internet Research or watch the whole video featuring Gemma Sharp [here](https://youtu.be/gT2l0oJQfko?feature=shared).   Subscribe Now ### Leave a Comment ## Related Articles [![Navigating the Intersection of AI and Peer Review: A Guide for Ethical Integration](https://blog.jmir.org/hubfs/Peer%20Review%20Week/Inside%20Peer%20Review_%20Part%205.png)](https://blog.jmir.org/peer-review-week-2024-day5-ai-and-peer-review) [Peer Review](https://blog.jmir.org/tag/peer-review) ### [Navigating the Intersection of AI and Peer Review: A Guide for Ethical Integration](https://blog.jmir.org/peer-review-week-2024-day5-ai-and-peer-review) The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the peer review process is a rapidly evolving landscape, offering the promise of streamlined efficiency and... ![Tiffany I. 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Enter eHealth interventions –... ![JMIR Publications](https://blog.jmir.org/hs-fs/hubfs/jmir_icon_100px.png?width=45&name=jmir_icon_100px.png) [JMIR Publications](https://blog.jmir.org/author/jmir-publications) [Read More](https://blog.jmir.org/beyond-the-screen-unpacking-the-human-element-in-digital-weight-loss) #### About - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### Services - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### News - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three Follow us on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "JMIR Publications", "url" : "https://blog.jmir.org/author/jmir-publications-1" }, "dateModified" : "2025-06-19T15:21:30.419Z", "datePublished" : "2025-06-19T15:21:30.000Z", "headline" : "Chatbot Intervention Improves Eating Disorder Outcomes", "image" : [ "https://blog.jmir.org/hubfs/Gemma%20Sharp%20blog%20(1).png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.jmir.org/chatbot-intervention-improves-eating-disorder-outcomes", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.jmir.org/hubfs/JMIR-Publications_logo_2020_original.png" }, "name" : "JMIR Publications" } } ```