Neurofeedback During Eating for Bulimia Nervosa

NCT ID: NCT05614024

Last Updated: 2026-01-30

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

30 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-05-13

Study Completion Date

2027-12-31

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of noninvasive prefrontal cortex (PFC) neurofeedback during eating in women with bulimia nervosa (BN) using a wearable brain imaging device, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The investigators will examine how this training may influence inhibitory control and BN symptoms.

Detailed Description

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The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of PFC neurofeedback during eating in women with bulimia nervosa (BN) using fNIRS. Specifically, the study aims 1) to demonstrate ventrolateral PFC (vlPFC) neurofeedback target engagement in women with BN using fNIRS; and 2) to link changes in PFC activation to changes in inhibitory control and eating-related symptoms.

Data will be collected from women with BN who will be randomly assigned to one of two group conditions (real or sham-control neurofeedback during eating). Participation includes a phone screening assessment, psychodiagnostic assessment, one in-person evaluation, one neurofeedback session, behavioral tasks, online questionnaires before and after the neurofeedback session, and a remote follow-up assessment.

Conditions

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Bulimia Nervosa

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants will be assigned to one of two conditions, either the experimental or sham neurofeedback arm.
Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Real fNIRS Neurofeedback Arm

Participants assigned to the experimental arm will see their true, real-time brain activation (i.e., active real-time neurofeedback) during the neurofeedback session. This activation will be displayed to the participant as a thermometer that will increase as brain activation in the target region increases.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Real fNIRS Neurofeedback

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants will be instructed to use real-time fNIRS neurofeedback to non-invasively regulate neural activation associated with symptoms in individuals with bulimia nervosa. During the training, participants will view images on a computer screen, listen to sounds, and consume a shake.

Sham-Control fNIRS Neurofeedback Arm

Participants assigned to the sham-control arm will see false feedback (or a fake signal) that is not connected to their right vlPFC activation during the neurofeedback session.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Sham-Control fNIRS Neurofeedback

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants will be instructed to use sham real-time fNIRS neurofeedback to non-invasively regulate neural activation associated with symptoms in individuals with bulimia nervosa. During the training, participants will view images on a computer screen, listen to sounds, and consume a shake.

Interventions

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Real fNIRS Neurofeedback

Participants will be instructed to use real-time fNIRS neurofeedback to non-invasively regulate neural activation associated with symptoms in individuals with bulimia nervosa. During the training, participants will view images on a computer screen, listen to sounds, and consume a shake.

Intervention Type OTHER

Sham-Control fNIRS Neurofeedback

Participants will be instructed to use sham real-time fNIRS neurofeedback to non-invasively regulate neural activation associated with symptoms in individuals with bulimia nervosa. During the training, participants will view images on a computer screen, listen to sounds, and consume a shake.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Female
* Aged 18 to 45 years
* Meet diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa
* Current body mass index greater than or equal to 18.5kg/m2 but under 30kg/m2
* English-speaking

Exclusion Criteria

* Ongoing medical treatment, major medical condition, or psychiatric disorder that may interfere with study variables or participation
* Current psychotherapy focused primarily on eating disorder symptoms
* Pregnancy or planned pregnancy, or lactation during the study period
* Allergy to ingredients in the standardized meal or in the shake
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

45 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Laura Berner

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Laura A Berner, Ph.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Locations

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Center for Computational Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

New York, New York, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Sila Sozeri, B.A.

Role: CONTACT

(212) 201-2679

Laura A Berner, Ph.D.

Role: CONTACT

Other Identifiers

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GCO 21-2078

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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