Eating DisordersNCT07387965
A Brief Cannabis Use Psychoeducation Intervention for Eating Disorder Patients
A study testing Psychoeducation about risks of cannabis use in people with Eating Disorders and Cannabis Use, run by St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if providing eating disorder patients with education about the consequences of cannabis (marijuana) use on mental health, gastrointestinal symptoms, eating disorder symptoms, and eating disorder treatment effectiveness increases their knowledge about the cannabis use… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 16 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Eating Disorders, Cannabis Use
- What is being tested?
- Psychoeducation about risks of cannabis use
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 80 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 4 Feb 2026to 4 Feb 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 16 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- A patient of St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton Eating Disorder Program (i.e. is currently seeking eating disorders treatment)
- Participant has been diagnosed with an eating disorder
- Aged 16+
- Understands written and spoken English
Who cannot join
- Has not been diagnosed with an eating disorder
- Under the age of 17
- Does not understand written and spoken English
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Canada1 site
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, West 5th Campus
Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 3K7
Sarah McComb, Ph.D., C.Psych, 905-522-1155 ext. 34263, smccomb@stjoes.ca
Keisha Gobin, Ph.D., C. Psych, 905-522-1155 ext. 34093, kgobin@stjoes.ca
About this study
Official title: A Brief Psychoeducation Intervention to Address Cannabis Use Amongst Patients Seeking Eating Disorder Treatment: A Single Blind Randomized Control Trial
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if providing eating disorder patients with education about the consequences of cannabis (marijuana) use on mental health, gastrointestinal symptoms, eating disorder symptoms, and eating disorder treatment effectiveness increases their knowledge about the cannabis use consequences, intention to reduce cannabis use, and motivation to seek treatment for their cannabis use. The main questions this study aims to answer are:
- Does education about consequences of cannabis use increase eating disorder patients' knowledge about the risks of cannabis use?
- Does education about the consequences of cannabis use increase intention to reduce cannabis use and seek cannabis use treatment among those with eating disorders?
- Does cannabis use interfere with how successful eating disorder treatment is for eating disorder patients?
All participants will receive 20 weeks of eating disorder treatment. In week 1 of treatment, participants will either be assigned to receive education about cannabis use consequences, or be assigned to a control condition where they receive education about consequences of poor sleep. Participants will be asked to complete a number of questionnaires that measure knowledge about cannabis use consequences, intention to reduce use and seek cannabis use treatment, eating disorder symptoms, and cannabis use habits. Researchers will assess how effective providing education about cannabis use consequences is on changing knowledge about cannabis use risks, intention to reduce use, and intention to seek cannabis use treatment. It will also be examined if effectiveness of eating disorder treatment is related to cannabis use habits.
- Conditions
- Eating Disorders, Cannabis Use
- Being tested
- Psychoeducation about risks of cannabis use, Placebo control: Sleep hygiene psychoeducation
- Keywords
- single blind, single blind randomized control trial, randomized control trial, eating disorders, cannabis use, psychoeducation, brief intervention, marijuana, cannabis, binge eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa
- Medical subject headings
- Feeding and Eating Disorders, Marijuana Abuse, Binge-Eating Disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Psychoeducation about risks of cannabis useOther
This intervention will provide psychoeducation to eating disorder patients about the risks of using cannabis on mood, anxiety, sleep, substance use, gastrointestinal symptoms, eating disorder symptoms, and eating disorder treatment outcomes.
Placebo control: Sleep hygiene psychoeducationOther
Eating disorder patients in the control condition will receive psychoeducation about impacts of poor sleep on mental health and eating disorder treatment outcomes, and strategies to improve sleep hygiene.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Cannabis psychoeducation intervention | Experimental | Brief psychoeducation will be provided to eating disorder patients seeking treatment regarding the impact of cannabis use on comorbid mental health conditions, sleep, gastrointestinal symptoms, eating disorder symptoms, and eating disorder treatment outcomes. Receives: Other: Psychoeducation about risks of cannabis use |
| Psychoeducation control condition | Placebo comparator | Brief psychoeducation will be provided to eating disorder patients seeking treatment regarding the impact of poor sleep on mental health outcomes and appropriate sleep hygiene habits. Receives: Other: Placebo control: Sleep hygiene psychoeducation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Knowledge of cannabis use consequences
Self-perceived knowledge about consequences of cannabis use will be measured using a 100 point visual analogue scale. Higher scores will indicate greater self-perceived knowledge about the consequences of cannabis use.
Measured: Will be measured at baseline (i.e. 5 minutes into Session 1 of treatment for eating disorders before cannabis psychoeducation is administered), and again at 140 minutes into Session 1 of treatment for eating disorders.
Intention to reduce cannabis use
Intention to reduce personal cannabis use will be measured using a 100 point visual analogue scale. Higher scores indicate greater intention to reduce cannabis use.
Measured: Will be measured at baseline (i.e. 5 minutes into Session 1 of treatment for eating disorders before cannabis psychoeducation is administered), and again at 140 minutes into Session 1 of treatment for eating disorders.
Intention to seek cannabis use treatment
Intention to seek cannabis use treatment will be measured using a 100 point visual analogue scale. Higher scores indicate greater intention to seek cannabis use treatment.
Measured: Will be measured at baseline (i.e. 5 minutes into Session 1 of treatment for eating disorders before cannabis psychoeducation is administered), and again at 140 minutes into Session 1 of treatment for eating disorders.
Secondary outcomes (5)
Motivations for cannabis use
Motivations for cannabis use will be measured using the Marijuana Motives Questionnaire (5 subscales measuring motivations regarding enhancement, coping, conformity, expansion, and social). Responses range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater endorsement of that motivation. Subscale scores are calculated by taking the average score of subscale items.
Motivations for cannabis use will also be measured using the Comprehensive Cannabis Motivates Questionnaire (8 subscales measuring motivations regarding food, medicinal, sleep, social, to get high, coping, conformity, creativity). Responses range from 1-5, with higher scores indicating greater endorsement of that motivation. Subscale scores are calculated by taking the average score of subscale items.
Measured: Measured at baseline (i.e. Week 1 of CBT for eating disorders) and through treatment completion (i.e. Week 20 of CBT for eating disorders).
Cannabis use frequency
Will be measured weekly for 20 weeks using a Likert-type question and at Week 1 and Week 20 of CBT for eating disorders using the Daily Sessions, Frequency, Age of Onset, and Quantity of Cannabis Use Inventory.
Measured: Weekly use will be monitored for 20 weeks using a Likert-type question. The Daily Sessions, Frequency, Age of Onset, and Quantity of Cannabis Use Inventory will be measured twice during Week 1 and Week 20 of CBT for eating disorders
Eating disorder symptoms
Measured using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, which assesses for symptoms such as restrictive eating, binge eating, purging, exercise, and body image. This measure has 4 subscale scores (restraint, concern about eating, weight concerns, and shape concerns) and one global score. Items are answered on a scale of 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater eating disorder symptoms. Subscale scores are calculated by taking the average of subscale item scores. The global score is calculated by averaging the sum of the 4 subscale scores.
Measured: Administered at Week 1 (baseline) and Week 20 of CBT for eating disorders.
Impairment caused by eating disorder
Measured using the Clinical Impairment Assessment. Assesses for impairment caused by eating disorder symptoms, such as negative emotions, concentration difficulties, social impairment. Items are responded to on a scale of 0 to 3, with higher scores indicating greater impairment on that item. A total score is calculated by summing all item scores.
Measured: Administered at Week 1 and Week 20 of CBT for eating disorders.
Problematic cannabis use
Measured using Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test-Revised. Assesses for indicators of problematic cannabis use, such as inability to reduce use, using in risky circumstances, increased impairment, and frequency of use. Items are answered on a scale of 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating more problematic use. A total score is calculated by summing item scores.
Measured: Administered at Week 1 and Week 20 of CBT for eating disorders.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Feb 2026
- Study start4 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion4 Feb 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion4 Feb 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Eating DisordersStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Sarah McComb, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
- Investigators
- Sarah McComb, Ph.D., C. Psych, Principal investigator, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07387965
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 18846
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 13 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 4 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Brief Psychoeducation Intervention to Address Cannabis Use Amongst Patients Seeking Eating Disorder Treatment: A Single Blind Randomized Control Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07387965
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 18846
- Conditions
- Eating Disorders, Cannabis Use
- Keywords
- single blind, single blind randomized control trial, randomized control trial, eating disorders, cannabis use, psychoeducation, brief intervention, marijuana
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- St. Joseph's Healthcare HamiltonUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 4 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 4 Feb 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 4 Feb 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 4 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if providing eating disorder patients with education about the consequences of cannabis (marijuana) use on mental health, gastrointestinal symptoms, eating disorder symptoms, and eating disorder treatment effectiveness increases their knowledge about the cannabis use consequences, intention to reduce cannabis use, and motivation to seek treatment for their cannabis use. The main questions this study aims to answer are:
- Does education about consequences of cannabis use increase eating disorder patients' knowledge about the risks of cannabis use?
- Does education about the consequences of cannabis use increase intention to reduce cannabis use and seek cannabis use treatment among those with eating disorders?
- Does cannabis use interfere with how successful eating disorder treatment is for eating disorder patients?
All participants will receive 20 weeks of eating disorder treatment. In week 1 of treatment, participants will either be assigned to receive education about cannabis use consequences, or be assigned to a control condition where they receive education about consequences of poor sleep. Participants will be asked to complete a number of questionnaires that measure knowledge about cannabis use consequences, intention to reduce use and seek cannabis use treatment, eating disorder symptoms, and cannabis use habits. Researchers will assess how effective providing education about cannabis use consequences is on changing knowledge about cannabis use risks, intention to reduce use, and intention to seek cannabis use treatment. It will also be examined if effectiveness of eating disorder treatment is related to cannabis use habits.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cannabis psychoeducation intervention | Experimental | Other: Psychoeducation about risks of cannabis useBrief psychoeducation will be provided to eating disorder patients seeking treatment regarding the impact of cannabis use on comorbid mental health conditions, sleep, gastrointestinal symptoms, eating disorder symptoms, and eating disorder treatment outcomes. |
| Psychoeducation control condition | Placebo comparator | Other: Placebo control: Sleep hygiene psychoeducationBrief psychoeducation will be provided to eating disorder patients seeking treatment regarding the impact of poor sleep on mental health outcomes and appropriate sleep hygiene habits. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 16 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- A patient of St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton Eating Disorder Program (i.e. is currently seeking eating disorders treatment)
- Participant has been diagnosed with an eating disorder
- Aged 16+
- Understands written and spoken English
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Has not been diagnosed with an eating disorder
- Under the age of 17
- Does not understand written and spoken English
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Psychoeducation about risks of cannabis useThis intervention will provide psychoeducation to eating disorder patients about the risks of using cannabis on mood, anxiety, sleep, substance use, gastrointestinal symptoms, eating disorder symptoms, and eating disorder treatment outcomes. | Other | Cannabis psychoeducation intervention |
| Placebo control: Sleep hygiene psychoeducationEating disorder patients in the control condition will receive psychoeducation about impacts of poor sleep on mental health and eating disorder treatment outcomes, and strategies to improve sleep hygiene. | Other | Psychoeducation control condition |
Primary outcome
Knowledge of cannabis use consequences
Time frame: Will be measured at baseline (i.e. 5 minutes into Session 1 of treatment for eating disorders before cannabis psychoeducation is administered), and again at 140 minutes into Session 1 of treatment for eating disorders.
Self-perceived knowledge about consequences of cannabis use will be measured using a 100 point visual analogue scale. Higher scores will indicate greater self-perceived knowledge about the consequences of cannabis use.
Intention to reduce cannabis use
Time frame: Will be measured at baseline (i.e. 5 minutes into Session 1 of treatment for eating disorders before cannabis psychoeducation is administered), and again at 140 minutes into Session 1 of treatment for eating disorders.
Intention to reduce personal cannabis use will be measured using a 100 point visual analogue scale. Higher scores indicate greater intention to reduce cannabis use.
Intention to seek cannabis use treatment
Time frame: Will be measured at baseline (i.e. 5 minutes into Session 1 of treatment for eating disorders before cannabis psychoeducation is administered), and again at 140 minutes into Session 1 of treatment for eating disorders.
Intention to seek cannabis use treatment will be measured using a 100 point visual analogue scale. Higher scores indicate greater intention to seek cannabis use treatment.
5 secondary outcomes
Motivations for cannabis use
Time frame: Measured at baseline (i.e. Week 1 of CBT for eating disorders) and through treatment completion (i.e. Week 20 of CBT for eating disorders).
Cannabis use frequency
Time frame: Weekly use will be monitored for 20 weeks using a Likert-type question. The Daily Sessions, Frequency, Age of Onset, and Quantity of Cannabis Use Inventory will be measured twice during Week 1 and Week 20 of CBT for eating disorders
Eating disorder symptoms
Time frame: Administered at Week 1 (baseline) and Week 20 of CBT for eating disorders.
Impairment caused by eating disorder
Time frame: Administered at Week 1 and Week 20 of CBT for eating disorders.
Problematic cannabis use
Time frame: Administered at Week 1 and Week 20 of CBT for eating disorders.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Feb 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Sarah McComb, Ph.D., C. Psych principal investigator
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Psychoeducation about risks of cannabis use in people with Eating Disorders and Cannabis Use, run by St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton at 1 site in Canada.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Sarah McComb, Ph.D., C. Psych (905-522-1155 ext. 34263, smccomb@stjoes.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Knowledge of cannabis use consequences (time frame: Will be measured at baseline (i.e. 5 minutes into Session 1 of treatment for eating disorders before cannabis psychoeducation is administered), and again at 140 minutes into Session 1 of treatment for eating disorders.). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Feb 2026.