Near-infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography neurofeedback for binge-eating disorder: an exploratory randomized trial.

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.

Mechanisms underlying fNIRS-neurofeedback over the prefrontal cortex for participants with binge-eating disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the increasing popularity of neurofeedback (NF), aiming at voluntary modulation of dysfunctional prefrontal cortex (PFC) signals in the treatment of binge-eating disorder (BED) and/or overweight, mechanisms remain poorly understood. METHODS: Based on a randomized-controlled trial offering 12 food-specific real-time functional near-infrared spectroscopy (rtfNIRS)-NF sessions to participants with BED (n = 22), this preregistered study examined (1) online regulation success as predictor for offline regulation success, defined by PFC signals during regulation versus watch, and subjective regulation success, and (2) changes in loss of control (LOC) eating after vs. before and across 12 rtfNIRS-NF-sessions. RESULTS: Higher online regulation success expectedly predicted better subjective, but worse offline regulation success. LOC eating decreased after vs. before, but not over rtfNIRS-NF-sessions, and was not associated with subjective or offline regulation success. CONCLUSIONS: The association between online and subjective regulation success confirmed the presumed mechanism of operant conditioning underlying rtfNIRS-NF-learning. The contrary association between online and offline regulation indicated differential PFC involvement upon subtraction of automatic food-specific responses from regulation signals for offline success. Decreased LOC eating after food-specific rtfNIRS-NF-sessions suggested the potential of NF in BED treatment. SIGNIFICANCE: Results may guide the optimization of future NF studies in larger samples with BED.

Predictors of neurofeedback treatment outcome in binge-eating disorder: An exploratory study.

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.

Beyond Binge Eating: The Impact of Implicit Biases in Healthcare on Youth with Disordered Eating and Obesity.

(1) Background: Obesity and eating disorders (ED) can coexist resulting in worse health outcomes. Youth with ED are more likely to have obesity relative to peers with a healthy weight. Pediatric providers deliver first-line care to children and youth of all sizes and body shapes from infancy to adolescents. As healthcare providers (HCPs), we bring biases into our practice. Learning to recognize and address these biases is needed to provide the best care for youth with obesity. (2) Purpose: This paper aims to summarize the literature regarding the prevalence of ED beyond binge eating in youth with obesity and discuss how the intersection of weight, gender, and racial biases impact the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of ED. We provide recommendations for practice and considerations for research and policy. (3) Conclusions: The assessment and treatment of ED and disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) in youth with obesity is complex and requires a holistic approach. This approach begins with identifying and understanding how one's implicit biases impact care. Providing care from a patient-centers lens, which considers how the intersection of multiple stigmatized identities increases the risk for DEBs in youth with obesity may improve long-term health outcomes.

Effects of implementation intentions and mental imagery on subjective binge eating.

OBJECTIVE: Binge-eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN) are characterised by binge eating. Changing unwanted behaviour is difficult, as intentions do not automatically lead to action. Implementation intentions (IIs) may help bridging the gap between intentions and behaviour. IIs are 'if-then' plans promoting goal attainment. Effects are moderated by degree of plan formation. Using mental imagery (MI) to impress IIs may strengthen plan formation and goal attainment. METHOD: In a students' sample with subjective binge eating, we compared IIs without MI, IIs with MI, and a control condition regarding their ability to reduce binge eating. Participants received three II-sessions and kept food diaries for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Results showed a significant and medium to large reduction of binge eating in both II-conditions compared to the control condition, that was sustained for 6 months. No additional effects of MI were found. CONCLUSIONS: Applying IIs results in long-lasting reductions in subjective binge eating. The absence of additional effects of MI may be due to floor effects. Also, participants in the IIs without MI condition may have applied MI without being instructed to do so. In future research, ideally with a clinical sample, it is recommended to prevent or control for this.

Mindful eating for weight loss in women with obesity: a randomised controlled trial.

Mindful eating (ME) has been linked to improvement in binge eating disorder, but this approach in obesity management has shown conflicting results. Our aim was to assess the effect of ME associated with moderate energy restriction (MER) on weight loss in women with obesity. Metabolic parameters, dietary assessment, eating behaviour, depression, anxiety and stress were also evaluated. A total of 138 women with obesity were randomly assigned to three intervention groups: ME associated with MER (ME + MER), MER and ME, and they were followed up monthly for 6 months. ME + MER joined seven monthly mindfulness-based intervention group sessions each lasting 90 min and received an individualised food plan with MER (deficit of 2092 kJ/d - 500 kcal/d). MER received an individualised food plan with MER (deficit of 2092 kJ/d - 500 kcal/d), and ME joined seven monthly mindfulness-based intervention group sessions each lasting 90 min. Seventy patients completed the intervention. Weight loss was significant, but no statistically significant difference was found between the groups. There was a greater reduction in uncontrolled eating in the ME group than in the MER group and a greater reduction in emotional eating in the ME group than in both the MER and the ME + MER groups. No statistically significant differences were found in the other variables evaluated between groups. The association between ME with energy restriction did not promote greater weight loss than ME or MER.

Proof of Concept for a Mindfulness-Informed Intervention for Eating Disorder Symptoms, Self-Efficacy, and Emotion Regulation among Bariatric Surgery Candidates.

Up to 64% of patients seeking bariatric (weight-loss) surgery report eating disorder (ED) symptoms (addictive-like eating, binge eating, emotional eating, grazing) that can interfere with post-surgical weight loss. This prospective proof-of-concept study aimed to evaluate the impact of a pre-surgical mindfulness-informed intervention (MII) on ED symptoms and potential mechanisms-of-action to inform optimization of the intervention. Surgery-seeking adults attended four, 2-hour, MII sessions held weekly. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing ED symptoms, eating self-efficacy, emotion regulation, and mindful eating pre-MII, post-MII, and at a 12-week follow-up. The MII consisted of mindfulness training, with cognitive, behavioral, and psychoeducational components. Fifty-six patients (M = 47.41 years old, 89.3% female) participated. Improvements in addictive-like eating, binge eating, emotional eating, and grazing were observed from pre- to post-MII. ED symptom treatment gains were either maintained or improved further at 12-week follow-up. Eating self-efficacy and emotion regulation improved from pre-MII to follow-up. Scores on the mindful eating questionnaire deteriorated from pre-MII to follow-up. In mediation analyses, there was a combined indirect effect of emotion regulation, eating self-efficacy, and mindful eating on grazing and binge eating, and an indirect effect of emotion regulation on emotional eating and addictive-like eating. Participation in the MII was associated with improvements in ED symptoms and some mechanisms-of-action, establishing proof-of-concept for the intervention. Future work to establish the MII's efficacy in a randomized controlled trial is warranted.

App-based food-specific inhibitory control training as an adjunct to treatment as usual in binge-type eating disorders: A feasibility trial.

Current treatments for binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN) only show moderate efficacy, warranting the need for novel interventions. Impairments in food-related inhibitory control contribute to BED/BN and could be targeted by food-specific inhibitory control training (ICT). The aim of this study was to establish the feasibility and acceptability of augmenting treatment for individuals with BN/BED with an ICT app (FoodT), which targets motor inhibition to food stimuli using a go/no-go paradigm. Eighty patients with BED/BN receiving psychological and/or pharmacological treatment were randomly allocated to a treatment-as-usual group (TAU; n = 40) or TAU augmented with the 5-min FoodT app daily (n = 40) for 4 weeks. This mixed-methods study assessed feasibility outcomes, effect sizes of clinical change, and acceptability using self-report measures. Pre-registered cut-offs for recruitment, retention, and adherence were met, with 100% of the targeted sample size (n = 80) recruited within 12 months, 85% of participants retained at 4 weeks, and 80% of the FoodT + TAU group completing ≤8 sessions. The reduction in binge eating did not differ between groups. However, moderate reductions in secondary outcomes (eating disorder psychopathology: SES = -0.57, 95% CI [-1.12, -0.03]; valuation of high energy-dense foods: SES = -0.61, 95% CI [-0.87, -0.05]) were found in the FoodT group compared to TAU. Furthermore, small greater reductions in food addiction (SES = -0.46, 95% CI [-1.14, 0.22]) and lack of premeditation (SES = -0.42, 95% CI [-0.77, -0.07]) were found in the FoodT group when compared to TAU. The focus groups revealed acceptability of FoodT. Participants discussed personal barriers (e.g. distractions) and suggested changes to the app (e.g. adding a meditation exercise). Augmenting treatment for BED/BN with a food-specific ICT app is feasible, acceptable, and may reduce clinical symptomatology with high reach and wide dissemination.

EEG Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Adults with Binge-Eating Disorder: a Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

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.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy added to usual care improves eating behaviors in patients with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder by decreasing the cognitive load of words related to body shape, weight, and food.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as a complementary approach in patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge eating disorder (BED), and to assess how the reduction of the cognitive load of words related to eating disorders (ED) could constitute an intermediate factor explaining its global efficacy. METHODS: Eighty-eight women and men participated in clinical assessments upon inscription, prior to and following 8-week group MBCT. Mindfulness skills were assessed using the five facet mindfulness questionnaire; eating behaviors were assessed using the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ); comorbid pathologies were assessed using the beck depression index and the state-trait anxiety inventory. The cognitive load of words associated with ED was assessed through a modified version of the Stroop color naming task. RESULTS: Mindfulness skills improved significantly (p < .05) after group MBCT. The improvement of TFEQ scores was accompanied by reduced levels of depressive mood and trait anxiety. The positive impact of MBCT on TFEQ score was directly related to an improvement of the performance in the Stroop task. CONCLUSIONS: MBCT represents an interesting complementary therapy for patients with either BN or BED, at least when cognitive and behavioral domains are concerned. Such efficacy seems to be mediated by the reduction of the cognitive load associated with ED stimuli, which offers a possible explanation of how MBCT could reduce binge-eating behaviors. Other studies are needed, in independent centers, to focus more directly on core symptoms and long-term outcome.

Two decades of mindfulness-based interventions for binge eating: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are being increasingly used as interventions for eating disorders including binge eating. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess two decades of research on the efficacy of MBIs in reducing binge eating severity. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library for trials assessing the use of MBIs to treat binge eating severity in both clinical and non-clinical samples. The systematic review and meta-analysis was pre-registered at PROSPERO (CRD42020182395). RESULTS: Twenty studies involving 21 samples (11 RCT and 10 uncontrolled samples) met inclusion criteria. Random effects meta-analyses on the 11 RCT samples (n = 618: MBIs n = 335, controls n = 283) showed that MBIs significantly reduced binge eating severity (g = -0.39, 95% CI -0.68, -0.11) at end of trial, but was not maintained at follow-up (g = -0.06, 95% CI, -0.31, 0.20, k = 5). No evidence of publication bias was detected. On the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2, trials were rarely rated at high risk of bias and drop-out rates did not differ between MBIs and control groups. MBIs also significantly reduced depression, and improved both emotion regulation and mindfulness ability. CONCLUSION: MBIs reduce binge eating severity at the end of trials. Benefits were not maintained at follow-up; however, only five studies were assessed. Future well-powered trials should focus on assessing diversity better, including more men and people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

The outcomes of mindfulness-based interventions for Obesity and Binge Eating Disorder: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs) for weight loss and overeating-related behaviours have recently gained popularity. Previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses included studies of variable quality, which hinders interpretation of results. This meta-analysis examined only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of MBIs with control groups primarily encouraging either dietary or exercise-based behavioural change in individuals with overweight/obesity and/or binge eating disorder (BED). METHODS: Using PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed relevant articles in Medline, Psychinfo and EMBASE. Twelve eligible RCTs were identified, with three random-effects meta-analyses conducted on primary outcome measures of body mass (N = 11), mindfulness (N = 7) and BED symptoms (N = 3). RESULTS: MBIs were more efficacious than control in increasing mindfulness scores and decreasing BED symptoms from pre-to post-treatment. However, they were no more efficacious than control in reducing body mass which may be attributed to variability in the duration of interventions. Based on intervention duration, exploratory cumulative meta-analyses revealed that while shorter interventions (i.e., 6 weeks) showed greater reductions in body mass compared to longer interventions (i.e., 24 weeks), longer interventions led to greater improvements in mindfulness scores and BED symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the potential of MBIs to improve obesity-related behaviours compared to lifestyle interventions, but their effects on short-term weight loss remain unclear. Future research with a rigorous methodology should consider long-term follow-ups including body mass and mindfulness-related outcome measures in order to establish the clinical potential of MBIs.

The project COMPASS protocol: Optimizing mindfulness and acceptance-based behavioral treatment for binge-eating spectrum disorders.

Outcomes from cognitive behavioral therapy for binge-eating spectrum disorders are suboptimal, possibly due in part to deficits in self-regulation (i.e., the ability to control behavior in pursuit of long-term goals despite internal challenges). Mindfulness and acceptance-based treatments (MABTs) integrate behavioral treatment with psychological strategies designed to enhance self-regulation, yet little is known about how and for whom they are effective. The present study will utilize the multiphase optimization strategy to identify which of four MABT components (mindful awareness, distress tolerance, emotion modulation, values-based decision making) to include in a fully powered clinical trial. Participants (n = 256) will be randomized to 16 sessions in one of 16 conditions, each a different combination of MABT components being included or excluded from a base behavioral treatment. Our primary aim is to evaluate each component's independent efficacy on disordered eating symptoms. Our secondary aims are to confirm each component's target engagement (i.e., whether each component improves the targeted variable and outcomes), and test that each component's efficacy is moderated by baseline weaknesses in the same component (e.g., that participants with poor distress tolerance at baseline benefit most from the distress tolerance component). Our exploratory aim is to quantify the component interaction effects.

A Systematic Review of Scientific Studies on the Effects of Music in People with or at Risk for Eating Disorders.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of the three main eating disorders (EDs) anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) is increasing, and a growing number of patients with EDs is seeking professional help. Thus, there is a need for additional treatment strategies in EDs. The aim of this review was to summarize the literature on the benefits and risks of music as well as the evidence for its therapeutic application in people with EDs. METHODS: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we performed a systematic literature review on scientific studies on the effect of music in people with or at risk for EDs using PubMed and the Web of Science database. The search terms used were: "music", "music therapy", "eating disorders", "anorexia nervosa", "bulimia nervosa" and "binge eating disorder". RESULTS: 16 out of 119 identified and screened articles qualified as scientific studies involving a total of 3,792 participants. They reported on the use of music or music therapy in individuals with or at risk of AN and BN, but not BED. In inpatients with AN, listening to classical music was beneficial to food consumption. Singing in a group reduced post-prandial anxiety in AN inpatients and outpatients. Vodcasts which also included positive visual or autobiographical stimuli helped BN patients with anxiety and body image perception. Songwriting and sessions with a Body Monochord helped with the processing of therapeutically relevant topics in AN. Watching music videos, however, reinforced body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, bodyweight concerns, preoccupation with physical appearance in pre-teenage and teenage girls, and drive for muscularity in adolescent boys. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the therapeutic application of music may be beneficial in patients with AN and BN. However, the availability of studies with a rigorous randomized controlled trial (RCT) design is scarce.

Clinical study on electroacupuncture for obese patients with binge eating disorder: A retrospective study.

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a common dietary disorder among obese people. Obesity and eating disorders are related to mental health and physical health. At present, there is no definite and effective method for treatment in clinic. The curative effect of electroacupuncture on obesity is definite. Although there is no conclusive evidence to support its long-term benefits, electroacupuncture has been increasingly used in clinic. This retrospective study determined the prognosis and outcome of electro-acupuncture on obese patients with BED.One hundred forty-three patients with BED and obesity were found from 658 people who participated in the scientific experiment of obesity treatment in Nanjing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Nanjing Brain Hospital from March 2015 to June 2018, and 84 patients (aged 18-40 years old) with valid data and uninterrupted treatment were found to be eligible for this retrospective study. According to the intervention methods, the patients were divided into electro-acupuncture combined with cognitive group (n = 32), cognitive therapy group (n = 28), and control group (n = 24). In this study, the 5th edition of Diagnosis and Statistics Manual of Mental Diseases, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, body fat rate, muscle mass, visceral index grade, nutrient intake (energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate), body weight, and weight changes before and after treatment were observed.Compared with the cognitive therapy group, negative emotion score, TC, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, waist circumference, BW, BMI, body fat percentage of the electroacupuncture combined with cognitive group were lower, while positive emotional scores were higher, and there were significant differences in negative emotional scores, TC, waist circumference and BMI (P < .05). The dietary energy and three major nutrients in the electroacupuncture combined with cognitive group were lower than those in the cognitive group and the blank group (P < .05).The current results suggest that electroacupuncture combined with cognitive therapy is more effective than cognitive therapy alone in treating obese patients with BED. Future prospective studies are necessary to further study the mechanism of electroacupuncture on the obese with BED.

Exploring Participants' Experiences of a Web-Based Program for Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder: Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Guided cognitive behavioral self-help is a recommended first-line treatment for eating disorders (EDs) such as bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge eating disorder (BED). Online versions of such self-help programs are increasingly being studied in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with some evidence that they can reduce ED symptoms, although intervention dropout is variable across interventions. However, in-depth research into participants' experiences and views on the acceptability of web-based interventions is limited. OBJECTIVE: This is a qualitative process study of participants' experiences of everyBody Plus, a web-based cognitive behavioral intervention, integrated into a large RCT to aid the interpretation of the main trial's results. To our knowledge, this is the first such study in digital intervention for EDs research to include real-time feedback into the qualitative analysis. This study aims to build upon the emerging literature by qualitatively exploring participants' experiences of a web-based intervention for BN and BED. METHODS: Participants were those who took part in the UK arm of a larger RCT investigating the efficacy of the everyBody Plus intervention. Reflexive thematic analysis was completed on 2 sources of data from the online platform: real-time feedback quotes provided at the end of completing a module on the platform (N=104) and semistructured telephone interview transcripts (n=12). RESULTS: Four main themes were identified. The first theme identified positive and negative user experiences, with a desire for a more customized and personalized intervention. Another theme positively reflected on how flexible and easy the intervention was to embed into daily life, compared with the silo of face-to-face therapy. The third theme identified how the intervention had a holistic impact cognitively, emotionally, interpersonally, and behaviorally. The final theme was related to how the intervention was not a one size fits all and how the perceived usefulness and relevance were often dependent on participants' demographic and clinical characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, participants reported positive experiences with the use of the everyBody Plus web-based intervention, including flexibility of use and the potential to holistically impact people's lives. The participants also provided valuable suggestions for how similar future web-based interventions could be improved and, in the context of EDs, how programs can be designed to be more inclusive of people by encompassing different demographic and clinical characteristics.

The Influence of Physiological and Psychological Learning Mechanisms in Neurofeedback vs. Mental Imagery Against Binge Eating.

In biofeedback research, the debate on physiological versus psychological learning has a long tradition and is still relevant today, regarding new developments of biofeedback for behavior modification. Analyzing the role of these learning mechanisms may help improving the protocols and answer the question, whether feedback of physiological functions is necessary to modify a target behavior. We explored the presence and impact of physiological (EEG changes) versus psychological learning (changes in somatic self-efficacy) in a recently developed EEG neurofeedback protocol for binge eating. The protocol targets a reduction of food-cue induced cortical arousal through regulation of EEG high beta activity. In an experimental study accompanying a randomized controlled trial, pre and post treatment EEG measurements were analyzed in a neurofeedback group (n = 18) and an active mental imagery control group without physiological feedback (n = 18). Physiological learning in terms of EEG high beta reduction only occurred in the neurofeedback group. Post treatment, participants with successfully reduced binge eating episodes (≥ 50% reduction) showed lower EEG high beta activity than unsuccessful participants (p = .02) after neurofeedback, but not after mental imagery. Further, lower EEG high beta activity at post-treatment predicted fewer binge eating episodes in neurofeedback only. In mental imagery, somatic self-efficacy predicted treatment success instead of EEG activity. Altogether, the results indicate that physiological changes serve as a specific treatment mechanism in neurofeedback against binge eating. Reducing cortical arousal may improve eating behaviors and corresponding neurofeedback techniques should therefore be considered in future treatments.

Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Health Coach-Delivered Smartphone-Guided Self-Help With Standard Care for Adults With Binge Eating.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has shown efficacy in the treatment of eating disorders. The authors conducted a randomized controlled telemedicine trial of CBT-guided self-help (CBT-GSH) assisted with a smartphone app, Noom Monitor, for binge eating with or without purging. They hypothesized that coach-delivered CBT-GSH telemedicine sessions plus Noom Monitor would yield greater reductions in symptoms of binge eating, purging, and eating disorders compared with standard care. METHODS: Fifty-two-week outcomes for CBT-GSH plus Noom Monitor (N=114) were compared with outcomes for standard care (N=111) among members of an integrated health care system in the Pacific Northwest. Patients in the health system who met inclusion criteria were ≥18 years old, had a body mass index ≥18.5, met criteria for DSM-5 binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa, had 12 months of continuous health care enrollment in Kaiser Permanente Northwest, and had a personal smartphone. Participants received eight CBT-GSH telemedicine sessions over 12 weeks administered by health coaches, and outcomes were assessed at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, 12, 26, and 52. The use of available treatment offered within the Kaiser Permanente health care system was permitted for participants assigned to standard care. RESULTS: Participants who received CBT-GSH plus Noom Monitor reported significant reductions in objective binge-eating days (ß=-0.66, 95% CI=-1.06, -0.25; Cohen's d=-1.46, 95% CI=-4.63, -1.09) and achieved higher rates of remission (56.7% compared with 30%; number needed to treat=3.74) at 52 weeks compared with participants in standard care, none of whom received any eating disorder treatment during the intervention period (baseline and weeks 1-12). Similar patterns emerged for compensatory behaviors (vomiting, use of laxatives, and excessive exercise; 76.3% compared with 56.8%; number needed to treat=5.11), eating disorder symptoms (body shape, weight, eating concerns, and dietary restraint), and clinical impairment (Cohen's d=-10.07, -2.15). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CBT-GSH plus Noom Monitor delivered via telemedicine by routine-practice health coaches in a nonacademic health care system yields reductions in symptoms and impairment over 52 weeks compared with standard care.

Emerging Psychological Treatments in Eating Disorders.

The authors present the theoretic model, structure of treatment, and preliminary evidence for several emerging treatments that are increasingly being used and studied in eating disorders treatment, including dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, integrative cognitive-affective therapy, and neuromodulation. In addition, the article discusses treatments that address mindfulness, interpersonal factors, and habit.

Mechanisms and moderators in mindfulness- and acceptance-based treatments for binge eating spectrum disorders: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Increasing evidence suggests that mindfulness- and acceptance-based psychotherapies (MABTs) for bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) may be efficacious; however, little is known about their active treatment components or for whom they may be most effective. METHODS: We systematically identified clinical trials testing MABTs for BN or BED through PsychINFO and Google Scholar. Publications were categorized according to analyses of mechanisms of action and moderators of treatment outcome. RESULTS: Thirty-nine publications met inclusion criteria. Twenty-seven included analyses of therapeutic mechanisms, and five examined moderators of treatment outcome. Changes were largely consistent with hypothesized mechanisms of MABTs, but substandard mediation analyses, inconsistent measurement tools, and infrequent use of mid-treatment assessment points limited our ability to make strong inferences. DISCUSSION: Analyses of mechanisms of action and moderators of outcome in MABTs for BN and BED appear promising, but the use of more sophisticated statistical analyses and adequate replication is necessary.