Using Virtual Reality and Sensor Technology to Enhance Outcomes From Treatment for Binge Eating

Completed · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Binge Eating, Inhibition (Psychology)

In brief

This study evaluates whether virtual-reality-based inhibitory control trainings are more effective than computerized trainings in reducing binge eating symptomatology. These trainings are used to improve people's ability to resist their impulses towards highly palatable foods (such as chips or cookies). These trainings also offer promise as a companion to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, an often used and relatively effective therapeutic methodology.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05041660

Run by

Drexel University

People needed

41

Starts

2019-10-14

Expected to finish

2020-08-05

Last updated by the study team

2021-09-13

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Speak, write, and understand English
• Age 18-65 years
• Experience objectively or subjectively large binge eating episodes once per week or more for the past three months
• Objectively large binge episodes are defined by the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE; a measure employed in this study) as consisting of at least two full meals of two courses at each (i.e., four courses total) or of at least three main courses
• Participants, also as per the EDE, must also experience a loss of control over their eating for the given episode to qualify as an objective binge
• Subjective binges are those which do not meet the food quantity criteria but during which participants experience a loss of control and feel they have eaten too much
• If applicable, have stable psychiatric medication for the past three months.

You may not qualify if…

• Acute suicide risk
• Are planning on receiving psychological treatment for binge eating during the course of their participation in the study
• Are planning to participate in a structured weight loss treatment program (e.g., WeightWatchers, behavioral weight loss treatment) during the course of their participation in the study
• Are currently receiving weight loss treatment
• Have a BMI below 17.5
• Co-morbid clinically significant psychological disorder that would require attention beyond the study treatment (i.e., bipolar I disorder, substance dependence, and/or psychotic conditions)
• Diagnosis of intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder
• History of neurological condition or traumatic brain injury
• Current pregnancy or intention to become pregnant during the course of their participation
• History of bariatric surgery
• Are currently using a stimulant medication (e.g., Ritalin, Adderall)
• No internet connection at home

Where it is running

• Drexel Universitty — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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