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Hilbert A, Rösch SA, Petroff D, Prettin C, Lührs M, Ehlis AC, Schmidt R. Near-infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography neurofeedback for binge-eating disorder: an exploratory randomized trial. Psychol Med 2024; 54:675-686. [PMID: 37964437 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723002350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Binge-eating disorder (BED) co-occurs with neurobehavioral alterations in the processing of disorder-relevant content such as visual food stimuli. Whether neurofeedback (NF) directly targeting them is suited for treatment remains unclear. This study sought to determine feasibility and estimate effects of individualized, functional near-infrared spectroscopy-based real-time NF (rtfNIRS-NF) and high-beta electroencephalography-based NF (EEG-NF), assuming superiority over waitlist (WL). METHODS Single-center, assessor-blinded feasibility study with randomization to rtfNIRS-NF, EEG-NF, or WL and assessments at baseline (t0), postassessment (t1), and 6-month follow-up (t2). NF comprised 12 60-min food-specific rtfNIRS-NF or EEG-NF sessions over 8 weeks. Primary outcome was the binge-eating frequency at t1 assessed interview-based. Secondary outcomes included feasibility, eating disorder symptoms, mental and physical health, weight management-related behavior, executive functions, and brain activity at t1 and t2. RESULTS In 72 patients (intent-to-treat), the results showed feasibility of NF regarding recruitment, attrition, adherence, compliance, acceptance, and assessment completion. Binge eating improved at t1 by -8.0 episodes, without superiority of NF v. WL (-0.8 episodes, 95% CI -2.4 to 4.0), but with improved estimates in NF at t2 relative to t1. NF was better than WL for food craving, anxiety symptoms, and body mass index, but overall effects were mostly small. Brain activity changes were near zero. CONCLUSIONS The results show feasibility of food-specific rtfNIRS-NF and EEG-NF in BED, and no posttreatment differences v. WL, but possible continued improvement of binge eating. Confirmatory and mechanistic evidence is warranted in a double-blind randomized design with long-term follow-up, considering dose-response relationships and modes of delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Hilbert
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sarah Alica Rösch
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - David Petroff
- Clinical Trial Centre Leipzig, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Michael Lührs
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Brain Innovation B.V., Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ann-Christin Ehlis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ricarda Schmidt
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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Rösch SA, Schmidt R, Hilbert A. Predictors of neurofeedback treatment outcome in binge-eating disorder: An exploratory study. Int J Eat Disord 2023; 56:2283-2294. [PMID: 37737523 DOI: 10.1002/eat.24062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Knowledge on predictors for treatment response to psychotherapy in binge-eating disorder (BED) is mixed and not yet available for increasingly popular neurofeedback (NF) treatment targeting self-regulation of aberrant brain activity. This study examined eating disorder- and psychopathology-related predictors for NF treatment success in BED. METHOD Patients with BED (N = 78) were randomized to 12 sessions of real-time functional near-infrared spectroscopy (rtfNIRS)-NF, targeting individual prefrontal cortex signal up-regulation, electroencephalography (EEG)-NF, targeting down-regulation of fronto-central beta activity, or waitlist (WL). The few studies assessing predictors for clinical outcomes after NF and evidenced predictors for psychotherapy guided the selection of baseline eating disorder-related predictors, including objective binge-eating (OBE) frequency, eating disorder psychopathology (EDP), food cravings, and body mass index (BMI), and general psychopathology-related predictors, including depressive and anxiety symptoms, impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, and self-efficacy. These questionnaire-based or objectively assessed (BMI) predictors were regressed on outcomes OBE frequency and EDP as key features of BED at post-treatment (t1) and 6-month follow-up (t2) in preregistered generalized mixed models (https://osf.io/4aktp). RESULTS Higher EDP, food cravings, and BMI predicted worse outcomes across all groups at t1 and t2. General psychopathology-related predictors did not predict outcomes at t1 and t2. Explorative analyses indicated that lower OBE frequency and higher self-efficacy predicted lower OBE frequency, and lower EDP predicted lower EDP after the waiting period in WL. DISCUSSION Consistent with findings for psychotherapy, higher eating disorder-related predictors were associated with higher EDP and OBE frequency. The specificity of psychopathological predictors for NF treatment success warrants further examination. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE This exploratory study firstly assessed eating disorder- and psychopathology-related predictors for neurofeedback treatment outcome in binge-eating disorder and overweight. Findings showed an association between higher eating disorder symptoms and worse neurofeedback outcomes, indicating special needs to be considered in neurofeedback treatment for patients with a higher binge-eating disorder symptom burden. In general, outcomes and assignment to neurofeedback treatment may be improved upon consideration of baseline psychological variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Rösch
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School NeuroCom, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ricarda Schmidt
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anja Hilbert
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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Wimmer J, Rösch SA, Schmidt R, Hilbert A. Neurofeedback strategies in binge-eating disorder as predictors of EEG-neurofeedback regulation success. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1234085. [PMID: 38021247 PMCID: PMC10645064 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1234085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Treatment options such as neurofeedback (NF) that directly target the link between aberrant brain activity patterns and dysfunctional eating behaviors in binge-eating disorder (BED) are emerging. However, virtually nothing is known about mental strategies used to modulate food-specific brain activity and the associated brain-based or subjective success of specific strategies. This study firstly investigated the use of mental strategies in response to individually appetitive food cues in adults with BED and overweight or obesity based on a randomized-controlled trial providing electroencephalography (EEG)- or real-time functional near-infrared spectroscopy (rtfNIRS)-NF to BED. Methods Strategy reports written by participants were classified with qualitative content analysis. Additionally, the mental strategies employed by the N = 23 patients who received EEG-NF targeting the reduction of fronto-central high beta activity were analyzed quantitatively through their link with subjective and EEG-NF regulation success. Results The following eight categories, ordered by frequency in descending order, were found: "Behavior," "Imagination," "Emotion," "Distraction," "Thought," "Concentration," "Self-Talk" and "No Strategy." Linear mixed models revealed "Imagination," "Behavior," and "Thought" strategies as positive predictors of EEG-NF regulation success (defined as high beta activity during regulation beneath the baseline), and "Concentration" as a negative predictor of subjective (i.e., self-reported) NF regulation success. Discussion In conclusion, our study offers a classification system that may be used in future studies assessing strategy use for regulating food-related responses in patients with BED and associated overweight/obesity, providing valuable information on potential benefits of specific strategies and transferability to situations outside the NF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jytte Wimmer
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sarah Alica Rösch
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School NeuroCom, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ricarda Schmidt
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anja Hilbert
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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Godet A, Fortier A, Bannier E, Coquery N, Val-Laillet D. Interactions between emotions and eating behaviors: Main issues, neuroimaging contributions, and innovative preventive or corrective strategies. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2022; 23:807-831. [PMID: 34984602 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-021-09700-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Emotional eating is commonly defined as the tendency to (over)eat in response to emotion. Insofar as it involves the (over)consumption of high-calorie palatable foods, emotional eating is a maladaptive behavior that can lead to eating disorders, and ultimately to metabolic disorders and obesity. Emotional eating is associated with eating disorder subtypes and with abnormalities in emotion processing at a behavioral level. However, not enough is known about the neural pathways involved in both emotion processing and food intake. In this review, we provide an overview of recent neuroimaging studies, highlighting the brain correlates between emotions and eating behavior that may be involved in emotional eating. Interaction between neural and neuro-endocrine pathways (HPA axis) may be involved. In addition to behavioral interventions, there is a need for a holistic approach encompassing both neural and physiological levels to prevent emotional eating. Based on recent imaging, this review indicates that more attention should be paid to prefrontal areas, the insular and orbitofrontal cortices, and reward pathways, in addition to regions that play a major role in both the cognitive control of emotions and eating behavior. Identifying these brain regions could allow for neuromodulation interventions, including neurofeedback training, which deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambre Godet
- Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer (NuMeCan), INRAE, INSERM, Univ Rennes, St Gilles, France
| | - Alexandra Fortier
- Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer (NuMeCan), INRAE, INSERM, Univ Rennes, St Gilles, France
| | - Elise Bannier
- CRNS, INSERM, IRISA, INRIA, Univ Rennes, Empenn Rennes, France
- Radiology Department, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Nicolas Coquery
- Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer (NuMeCan), INRAE, INSERM, Univ Rennes, St Gilles, France
| | - David Val-Laillet
- Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer (NuMeCan), INRAE, INSERM, Univ Rennes, St Gilles, France.
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Blume M, Schmidt R, Schmidt J, Martin A, Hilbert A. EEG Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Adults with Binge-Eating Disorder: a Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:352-365. [PMID: 34931276 PMCID: PMC9130382 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01149-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Specific alterations in electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain activity have recently been linked to binge-eating disorder (BED), generating interest in treatment options targeting these neuronal processes. This randomized-controlled pilot study examined the effectiveness and feasibility of two EEG neurofeedback paradigms in the reduction of binge eating, eating disorder and general psychopathology, executive functioning, and EEG activity. Adults with BED and overweight (N = 39) were randomly assigned to either a food-specific EEG neurofeedback paradigm, aiming at reducing fronto-central beta activity and enhancing theta activity after viewing highly palatable food pictures, or a general EEG neurofeedback paradigm training the regulation of slow cortical potentials. In both conditions, the study design included a waiting period of 6 weeks, followed by 6 weeks EEG neurofeedback (10 sessions à 30 min) and a 3-month follow-up period. Both EEG neurofeedback paradigms significantly reduced objective binge-eating episodes, global eating disorder psychopathology, and food craving. Approximately one third of participants achieved abstinence from objective binge-eating episodes after treatment without any differences between treatments. These results were stable at 3-month follow-up. Among six measured executive functions, only decision making improved at posttreatment in both paradigms, and cognitive flexibility was significantly improved after food-specific neurofeedback only. Both EEG neurofeedback paradigms were equally successful in reducing relative beta and enhancing relative theta power over fronto-central regions. The results highlight EEG neurofeedback as a promising treatment option for individuals with BED. Future studies in larger samples are needed to determine efficacy and treatment mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Blume
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Ricarda Schmidt
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jennifer Schmidt
- Muenster School of Health, FH Muenster University of Applied Sciences, Muenster, Germany
| | - Alexandra Martin
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, School of Human and Social Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Anja Hilbert
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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