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

NCT ID: NCT01801254

Last Updated: 2015-04-30

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: PHASE1
• Total Enrollment: 16 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2013-02-28
• Study Completion Date: 2015-02-28

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Obesity; Type II Diabetes; Cardiovascular Disease; Health Behavior

Keywords

Obesity; Type II diabetes; Cardiovascular disease; Health behavior promotion; Neuroeconomics; EEG biofeedback; Low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA); EEG

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

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.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

STRIDES

Intervention Type: OTHER

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.

Sham Control

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.

Group Type: SHAM_COMPARATOR

Sham Control

Intervention Type: OTHER

Brain-computer interface training protocol that is designed to have no effect on self-controlled behavior.

Interventions

STRIDES

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.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Sham Control

Brain-computer interface training protocol that is designed to have no effect on self-controlled behavior.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

University of Rochester

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Jordan Silberman

Medical Student

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Jordan Silberman, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Rochester

Locations

University of Rochester

Rochester, New York, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

RSRB00043988

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id