Non-invasive Brain Stimulation to Prepare the Patient for Bariatric Surgery (REBAS)

Launched by MASARYK UNIVERSITY · Mar 11, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The REBAS trial is studying a new way to help people with severe obesity prepare for weight loss surgery, known as bariatric surgery. The goal of this study is to improve the long-term success of the surgery by using a technique called non-invasive brain stimulation before the operation. This technique aims to help patients develop better eating habits, which is important for maintaining weight loss after the surgery. Researchers will closely monitor participants before and after their surgery to see how their brain function changes with weight loss.

To be eligible for the study, participants must have severe obesity, indicated by a body mass index (BMI) of over 35 or 40, and show difficulty controlling their eating behaviors. The study is open to adults aged 65 to 74, regardless of gender. However, individuals with certain health conditions, those who have had bariatric surgery before, and pregnant women cannot participate. If you join the study, you will receive brain stimulation before your surgery and will be part of a thorough evaluation to help understand how this approach can support weight loss success.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Subjects with severe or morbid obesity (determined by BMI \> 35 or 40 kg/m2, respectively) eligible for BS treatment in compliance with the current guidelines
• • Subjects who meet reduced control over eating behavior (disinhibition) criteria in the Eating Habits Questionnaire
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Subjects unable to provide informed consent and those unable to understand and cooperate with study-related procedures (based on the physician's discretion)
• • Subjects with a personal history of ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation
• • Subjects who have already undergone BS treatment in the past
• • Pregnant subjects or subjects that plan on becoming pregnant during the study.
• • Subjects deemed unsuitable for the study based on expert evaluation (e.g., by a physician or neuropsychologist) will be excluded.
• • Subjects with dreadlocks (problematic for the EEG)