Using EEG Operant Conditioning to Improve Trait Self-Control and Promote Healthy Behavior

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The field of neuroeconomics has begun to elucidate neural mechanisms underlying self-control; however, researchers have not yet harnessed neuroeconomics findings to develop interventions for improving self-control ability. The investigators are currently developing such an intervention. The investigators' approach involves using a brain-computer interface with audiovisual feedback to show people what is happening in their own brains, in real time. Through this interface, individuals are trained to increase levels of neural activity that may facilitate self-control, which, in turn, may improve the ability to exhibit self-controlled behaviors. This may increase the ability to engage in heath behaviors for which self-control is required (eg, dieting and exercising). The investigators' long-term goal is to create a tool that will help people develop the self-control needed to achieve lasting improvements in health behaviors.

Official Title
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Using EEG Operant Conditioning to Improve Trait Self-Control and Promote Healthy Behavior

Conditions
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Obesity, Type II Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Health Behavior

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: STRIDES
* Other: Sham Control


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Can read and write fluently in English At least 18 years of age Right-handed Overweight or obese (BMI > 24.9) Currently has a University of Rochester meal plan Currently in contemplation or action stages of change with respect to weight loss (measured with the Weight Stages of Change Algorithm; Rossi, Rossi, Velicer, & Prochaska, 1995). Exclusion Criteria: History of diabetes, epilepsy, celiac disease, lactose intolerance, food allergies, veganism, mental illness, or eating disorders Currently taking a medication that may have a strong effect on EEG recordings (eg, an antidepressant, stimulant medication, etc.) Currently drinks more than 3 cups of coffee per day or roughly equivalent caffeine intake

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: STRIDES<br>Brain-computer interface training protocol designed to up-regulate specific types of neural activity in regions including the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex, and Brodmann area 6 bilaterally. Targeted neural activity types are positively associated with self-controlled behavior. | Other: STRIDES<br>* Self-Control TRaining for Increasing Delay of gratification through EEG operant conditioning with Source localization (STRIDES). Brain-computer interface training protocol designed to up-regulate specific types of neural activity, in regions including the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex, and Brodmann area 6 bilaterally. Targeted neural activity types are positively associated with self-controlled behavior.<br>|
| Sham Comparator: Sham Control<br>Brain-computer interface training protocol that is designed to have no effect on self-controlled behavior. Stimuli used and durations of training sessions for this protocol are identical to those used in the treatment condition. | Other: Sham Control<br>* Brain-computer interface training protocol that is designed to have no effect on self-controlled behavior.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| postprandial blood glucose and triglycerides |  | 4 times per week for 4 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Obesity, Type II diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, Health behavior promotion, Neuroeconomics, EEG biofeedback, Low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA), EEG