Approach Bias Modification Training In Bulimia Nervosa
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Approach Bias Modification Training In Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder: A Randomised Controlled Pilot Trial (ABBA)
IRAS ID
184627
Contact name
Ulrike Schmidt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00010231; ,
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 29 days
Research summary
Bulimia nervosa (BN) and Binge Eating Disorder (BED) are serious eating disorders with elevated mortality, comorbidity, and high relapse rates. Psychotherapy and medication provide effective treatments. However, dropout and relapse rates are very high. The core symptoms of BN and BED are recurrent episodes of binge eating. Similar to addictive disorders, BN and BED patients show uncontrollable approach tendencies towards binge food despite negative consequences. Such cognitive biases occur at early stages of information processing that operate largely outside of conscious control. Thus, traditional (talking) psychotherapies may not be able to directly target these biases. However, cognitive bias modification (CBM) training directly targets such biases by repeated execution of specific computerised tasks. Different CBM versions have been shown to be effective in the treatment of several mental disorders. In alcohol addiction for example, automatic action tendencies towards alcohol cues and relapse rates could be reduced by a specifically tailored approach bias modification training. Based on these findings, and the pilot data of our German collaborators in healthy people with high levels of food craving, CBM can be considered as a promising new treatment approach in BN and BED. Given the similarities between BN/BED and addictive disorders, CBM programs that target approach biases appear to be particularly promising.
The central aim of the proposed randomised controlled pilot trial is to examine whether a specifically tailored brief (10 sessions), computerised CBM training (approach bias modification vs. SHAM) is able to reduce binge eating episodes and global bulimic symptomatology in BN and BED patients (primary efficacy endpoint). Additionally, we will investigate whether this CBM program reduces trait and cue-elicited food craving and the approach bias towards visual food stimuli in BN and BED patients from pre- to post-treatment. Finally, we will assess treatment acceptance by attrition rates and with a specifically designed feedback form.
REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0018
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion