Using Virtual Reality and Sensor Technology to Enhance Outcomes From Treatment for Binge Eating
Condition: Binge Eating; Inhibition (Psychology)
MeSH terms: Bulimia; Binge-Eating Disorder
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      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.
    

Detailed description: 
      Low levels of inhibitory control (i.e., the ability to withhold a quick, automatic response)
      is strongly linked with binge eating pathology. One of the most widely used and effective
      treatments for binge eating leaves 40-60% of patients partially or fully symptomatic at
      post-treatment. Researchers have begun to investigate the efficacy of computerized inhibitory
      control trainings (ICTs), which are tasks in which participants are asked repeatedly withhold
      a keypress responses to food stimuli. The intention of these trainings is to improve
      inhibitory control and to, in turn, reduce dysregulated eating behavior.

      Results for the efficacy of ICTs are promising, yet mixed. ICTs that are gamified (i.e.,
      turned into a video game) using virtual reality technology have high potential to address the
      barriers which may be limiting the efficacy of previous ICTs. The current study aims to
      finalize development and test the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of the
      first-ever virtual reality ICT (VR-ICT) for individuals with binge eating pathology.

      Thus, the study's aims are as follows:

      Primary aim 1: Enhance features of a previously developed, VR-based ICT for binge eating.

      Primary aim 2: Examine the feasibility and acceptability of the VR ICT training program.

      Primary aim 3: Examine the efficacy of VR-ICT versus a non-VR ICT and ICT vs. sham training,
      for reductions in binge eating from pre to post-treatment and at follow-up.

      Based on previous research and data from a pilot study, the investigators hypothesize a) that
      the VR ICT training program will be feasible and acceptable and b) that the VR-ICT and ICT
      will produce superior reductions in binge eating from pre- to post-treatment and at
      follow-up, as compared, respectively, with the non-VR ICT and the sham ICT.
    

Intervention name(s): Virtual-reality-based training; Inhibitory Control Training; Sham Inhibitory Control Training; Computerized training
Intervention type(s): Other; Other; Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Uses virtual reality for the inhibitory control training, rather than a relatively simplistic computerized training.; Uses an active inhibitory control training which includes a "stop" signal.; Uses an inhibitory control training which does not include a "stop" signal.; Uses a relatively simplistic computerized training.
Other intervention name(s): VR; ICT
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Factorial Assignment
Intervention model description: The study is a 2x2 factorial design with the factors being VR (VR/non-VR) and ICT (ICT/Sham).
Masking: Single (Participant)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Inhibitory control; Virtual reality; Binge eating; Continuous glucose monitoring