Reward Re-Training: A New Treatment to Address Reward Imbalance During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Summary

In the current study, the investigators will revise our existing 10-session group RRT treatment manual to specifically address the challenges in building social support and enhancing both momentary and sustained reward during the COVID-19 pandemic (Preliminary Aim 1). In months 2-18, the investigators will conduct a small pilot RCT that will randomize individuals to receive either 10-sessions of RRT (n=30) or supportive therapy (n=30), both delivered as group-treatments via videoconferencing software. The specific aims of the current study are to confirm the feasibility and acceptability of RRT for EDs (Primary Aim 1), evaluate the ability of RRT to engage critical targets including reward to day-to-day life activities, reward to palatable foods, social isolation, and loneliness (Primary Aim 2), and provide preliminary estimates of efficacy in reducing ED symptoms at both post-treatment and a 3-month follow-up (Primary Aim 3). the investigators will also evaluate the impact of RRT on secondary outcome variables including depression, substance use, and quality of life (Secondary Aim 1).

Conditions

• Bulimia Nervosa
• Bulimia; Atypical
• Binge Eating
• Binge-Eating Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Reward Re-Training

A brief, 10-session group-based behavioral treatment that is designed to indirectly change binge eating by directly focusing on building a more rewarding life. RRT hypothesizes that reductions in binge eating will occur as life becomes more rewarding because individuals will no longer need to rely on binge eating as a primary source of momentary reward. RRT notes that in order to live a satisfying life, individuals need to experience an adequate amount of reward in two overlapping yet distinguishable domains: momentary reward (i.e., the active experience of pleasure in the moment) and sustained reward (i.e., a deeper and more long-lasting sense of fulfillment and meaning that arises from building a personally valued life). A key aspect of RRT is an emphasize on building lasting and meaningful social relationships given the clear evidence that social connectedness can enhance both momentary reward and sustained reward.

BEHAVIORAL

Supportive Therapy

A brief, 10-session group-based treatment that is designed to instill hope and optimism and to increase social connection and support through a non-directive group leader that allows the patients to determine the focus of each session. The group leader will act as an empathetic provider by using reflective listening, eliciting and validating affect, and offering empathic comments.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  collaborator NIH

• Drexel University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2020-12-01

Primary Completion

2021-09-15

Completion

2021-09-15

Countries

• United States

Study Locations