Supplementary Material for: Participant experience in a study of dietary counselling plus omega-3 supplementation for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder among women: A focus group study

Background: Nutrition is an important determinant of health among people with mental disorders; however, barriers to dietary counselling exist. The Eating and Supplementation for Generalized Anxiety Disorder study (“EASe-GAD”) was the first trial to assess the impact of these interventions on anxiety symptoms. The primary objective of the present companion qualitative study was to gather and analyze qualitative data about the acceptability, participant experience, impact, barriers and facilitators, strengths, and weaknesses of the EASe-GAD program while also identifying opportunities for improvement.

Methods: Participants were eligible for this study if they participated in the EASe-GAD trial. Data were collected using focus groups which followed a semi-structured interview approach with a set of pre-determined questions. The sessions were recorded and transcribed for data analysis. Data were analyzed by thematic analysis.

Results: Three focus groups were completed, involving a total of 12 women. They reported a range of components that they found helpful, such as increased self-efficacy, as well as positive outcomes that they attributed to the intervention, such as improved mental and physical health. They reported components of the program that were less enjoyable, such as having their body weight measured, and also suggested opportunities for improvement. Many participants reported that cost implications of a diet intervention were an important consideration.

Conclusion: This project provided valuable insight into the participant experience and impact of the pilot dietary counselling program. Participants reported benefits and opportunities for improvement for subsequent studies aimed at improving nutrition among people with anxiety disorders.

研究背景：营养是精神障碍人群健康的重要影响因素，但饮食咨询实践仍存在诸多阻碍。针对广泛性焦虑障碍的饮食与补充干预研究（Eating and Supplementation for Generalized Anxiety Disorder，简称EASe-GAD）是首个评估此类干预措施对焦虑症状影响的试验。本配套定性研究的主要研究目的为：收集并分析关于EASe-GAD项目的可接受性、受试者体验、干预效果、阻碍与促进因素、项目优势与不足的定性数据，同时识别可优化的改进方向。

研究方法：本研究的纳入对象为参与过EASe-GAD试验的受试者。数据采集采用焦点小组访谈法，遵循半结构化访谈框架，使用预先设定的访谈问题开展讨论。访谈全程录制并转录为文本，以供后续数据分析；数据分析采用主题分析法完成。

研究结果：本研究共完成3组焦点小组访谈，累计纳入12名女性受试者。受试者反馈了多项被认为具有助益的项目内容，如自我效能感提升，以及归因于该干预措施的积极结局，如精神与躯体健康状况改善；同时也提及了项目中体验欠佳的环节，例如体重测量，并提出了多项优化建议。多数受试者表示，饮食干预的成本问题是其重要的考量因素。

研究结论：本项目为了解试点饮食咨询项目的受试者体验与干预效果提供了宝贵的研究见解。受试者反馈了该项目的优势与可优化方向，可为后续针对焦虑障碍人群开展营养改善相关研究提供参考依据。