Neurofeedback Based on Near-infrared Spectroscopy as a Therapy for Food Addiction in Obese Subjects.

Launched by RENNES UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Mar 11, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new therapy called neurofeedback, which uses a special technology to help people with food addiction, particularly those who are obese. The researchers believe that by training the brain to increase activity in a specific area (the dlPFC), participants may improve their eating habits and achieve long-term weight loss. Over the course of a month, eligible participants will attend eight training sessions and then their progress will be assessed through various questionnaires and clinical data, both at the start of the trial and again three months later.

To be eligible for this trial, participants must be women between the ages of 65 and 88 who are considered for obesity surgery due to severe weight issues. They should also have a food addiction, as determined by a specific questionnaire. However, individuals with certain psychiatric disorders, substance addictions (other than tobacco), or those who have had previous weight loss surgery are not eligible. Participants can expect to engage in focused training sessions to help change their eating behaviors, and they will need to provide written consent to take part in the study. This trial is currently recruiting patients, so there is an opportunity for those who meet the criteria to get involved in this innovative approach to managing food addiction.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Eligible for obesity surgery according to the 2009 French High Authority on Health (HAS) criteria (BMI ≥40 or BMI ≥35 with comorbidities)
• • Right-handed
• • Presenting a food addiction determined by the YFAS 2.0 questionnaire ;
• • Affiliated to a social security system;
• • Having given free and informed consent in writing.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Psychotic psychiatric disorders (schizophrenic disorders and bipolar disorders);
• • Psychotropic drugs, except antidepressants stabilized for at least 3 weeks and benzodiazepines
• • Addiction to alcohol or other psychoactive substances (except tobacco);
• • History of bariatric surgery;
• • Current treatment in the nutrition unit;
• • Insufficient command of French;
• • Pregnant or breast-feeding woman;
• • Persons of legal age under legal protection (safeguard of justice, curatorship, guardianship), persons deprived of liberty.
• • Contraindications to fMRI
• • Inability to perform the fNIRS procedure due to blockage or attenuation of the light at the capillary level