Neurofeedback Against Binge Eating: A Randomized Controlled Trial in a Female Subclinical Threshold Sample.
Brain-directed treatment techniques, such as neurofeedback, have recently been proposed as adjuncts in the treatment of eating disorders to improve therapeutic outcomes. In line with this recommendation, a cue exposure EEG-neurofeedback protocol was developed. The present study aimed at the evaluation of the specific efficacy of neurofeedback to reduce subjective binge eating in a female subthreshold sample. A total of 75 subjects were randomized to EEG-neurofeedback, mental imagery with a comparable treatment set-up or a waitlist group. At post-treatment, only EEG-neurofeedback led to a reduced frequency of binge eating (p = .015, g = 0.65). The effects remained stable to a 3-month follow-up. EEG-neurofeedback further showed particular beneficial effects on perceived stress and dietary self-efficacy. Differences in outcomes did not arise from divergent treatment expectations. Because EEG-neurofeedback showed a specific efficacy, it may be a promising brain-directed approach that should be tested as a treatment adjunct in clinical groups with binge eating. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Wuppertal, Germany.
Jennifer
J
Schmidt
Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Wuppertal, Germany.
Alexandra
A
Martin
D000328:Adult; D056912:Binge-Eating Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D001921:Brain; D002032:Bulimia / Q000628:therapy; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D058765:Neurofeedback / Q000379:methods*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D020377:Self Efficacy
binge eating; food craving; neurofeedback; overeating; randomized controlled trial