Computerised Training for Binge-Subtype Eating Disorders

Summary

This research project aims to explore the feasibility of a computerised training to reduce approach to high energy-dense foods among individuals who binge eat. The computerised intervention used will be an inhibitory control training, particularly, a food-specific go/no-go task. Eighty adults with a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder who are currently receiving psychological and/or pharmacological treatment for their eating disorder will be recruited and randomised to receive the computerised training in addition to treatment as usual (experimental group: training + TAU) or treatment as usual only (control group: TAU). Participants will complete questionnaires at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1; 4 weeks), and follow-up (T2; 8 weeks).

Participants will be asked to complete the computerised training for 4 weeks using a mobile app called FoodT. The computerised training consists of completing a food-specific go/no-go task to reduce approach to high energy-dense foods.

The results of this study will build steps for future larger-scale interventions and improve understanding of psychological mechanisms involved in binge eating behaviour.

Conditions

• Bulimia Nervosa
• Binge-Eating Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Food-Specific Inhibitory Control Training (FoodT App)

FoodTrainer (FoodT) is a simple game that aims to train individuals to 'stop' to certain unhealthy foods. Repeatedly playing this game is hypothesised to help build associations between certain foods (such as chocolate) and stopping, putting the brakes on unhelpful eating behaviour.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Exeter

  collaborator OTHER

• King's College London

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Janet Treasure, OBE, PhD, FRCP, FRCPsych · Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, & Neuroscience, King's College London

• Valentina Cardi, PhD · Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, & Neuroscience, King's College London

• Natalia Lawrence, PhD · University of Exeter

• Johanna Keeler, BSc · University of Exeter

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-06-01

Primary Completion

2020-09-01

Completion

2021-01-01

Countries

• United Kingdom

Study Locations