A pre-post pilot feasibility study of the MindBia web-based nutrition intervention for individuals with severe mental illness: Study protocol
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Sport, Leisure & Childhood Studies, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland
- 2Nimbus Research Centre, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland
- 3Health Service Executive (HSE), Kerry, Ireland
- 4Department of Applied Social Studies, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland
Abstract
People living with severe mental illness experience substantial health inequalities and high rates of premature mortality, largely driven by modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors, including poor diet quality. Digital technologies may provide scalable and flexible opportunities to support healthier behaviours; however, few interventions have specifically targeted nutrition-related outcomes as a primary focus in this population. MindBia is a co-designed, web-based digital nutrition intervention consisting of six structured modules developed for individuals residing in high-support mental health hostels. The intervention was informed by prior studies with service users and mental health staff. This pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of the MindBia intervention over eight weeks. A mixed-method pre-post design will be employed. Participants will complete baseline and post-intervention assessments examining dietary behaviours, digital literacy, and general wellbeing. Engagement with the web-based application will be monitored using embedded usage analytics. Semi-structured interviews conducted post-intervention will explore participants’ experiences, perceived impact, and barriers to engagement. Findings from this pilot study will inform refinement of the MindBia web-based application and guide the design of a larger scale trial evaluating its overall effectiveness. Author summary: Severe mental illness is associated with significant physical health inequalities and reduced life expectancy. Poor diet is a major contributing factor, yet structured nutrition support tailored to this population remains limited. Many digital interventions address physical activity or smoking for people living with severe mental illness, but few focus specifically on nutrition-related outcomes, particularly those residing in high-support mental health hostels. MindBia was developed as a web-based nutrition intervention co-designed with individuals with severe mental illness and mental health staff. The intervention consists of six structured modules designed to improve food knowledge, practical skills, and confidence using accessible digital technology. In this pilot study, we are evaluating whether delivering MindBia is feasible, acceptable, and preliminary effective. By examining engagement and user experiences, we aim to refine the intervention and inform the design of a larger trial to evaluate its overall effectiveness. Accessible, co-designed digital nutrition interventions may represent an important step toward reducing health inequalities in this underserved group.
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BibTeX
@article{osullivan2026prepost,
title = {{A pre-post pilot feasibility study of the MindBia web-based nutrition intervention for individuals with severe mental illness: Study protocol}},
author = {Ciara O’Sullivan and Tara Coppinger and Indika Dhanapala and Diarmuid Boyle and Alison Merrotsy},
journal = {PLOS Digital Health},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pdig.0001756},
url = {https://journals.plos.org/digitalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pdig.0001756},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A pre-post pilot feasibility study of the MindBia web-based nutrition intervention for individuals with severe mental illness: Study protocol
AU - Ciara O’Sullivan
AU - Tara Coppinger
AU - Indika Dhanapala
AU - Diarmuid Boyle
AU - Alison Merrotsy
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/25
JO - PLOS Digital Health
DO - 10.1371/journal.pdig.0001756
UR - https://journals.plos.org/digitalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pdig.0001756
AB - People living with severe mental illness experience substantial health inequalities and high rates of premature mortality, largely driven by modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors, including poor diet quality. Digital technologies may provide scalable and flexible opportunities to support healthier behaviours; however, few interventions have specifically targeted nutrition-related outcomes as a primary focus in this population. MindBia is a co-designed, web-based digital nutrition intervention consisting of six structured modules developed for individuals residing in high-support mental health hostels. The intervention was informed by prior studies with service users and mental health staff. This pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of the MindBia intervention over eight weeks. A mixed-method pre-post design will be employed. Participants will complete baseline and post-intervention assessments examining dietary behaviours, digital literacy, and general wellbeing. Engagement with the web-based application will be monitored using embedded usage analytics. Semi-structured interviews conducted post-intervention will explore participants’ experiences, perceived impact, and barriers to engagement. Findings from this pilot study will inform refinement of the MindBia web-based application and guide the design of a larger scale trial evaluating its overall effectiveness. Author summary: Severe mental illness is associated with significant physical health inequalities and reduced life expectancy. Poor diet is a major contributing factor, yet structured nutrition support tailored to this population remains limited. Many digital interventions address physical activity or smoking for people living with severe mental illness, but few focus specifically on nutrition-related outcomes, particularly those residing in high-support mental health hostels. MindBia was developed as a web-based nutrition intervention co-designed with individuals with severe mental illness and mental health staff. The intervention consists of six structured modules designed to improve food knowledge, practical skills, and confidence using accessible digital technology. In this pilot study, we are evaluating whether delivering MindBia is feasible, acceptable, and preliminary effective. By examining engagement and user experiences, we aim to refine the intervention and inform the design of a larger trial to evaluate its overall effectiveness. Accessible, co-designed digital nutrition interventions may represent an important step toward reducing health inequalities in this underserved group.
SN - 2767-3170
ER -