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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Obesity Behavior Body Weight Cardiovascular Disease Cardiovascular Diseases Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Endocrine System Diseases Glucose Metabolism Disorders Health Behavior Metabolic Diseases Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Type II Diabetes

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 1

Primary location

University of Rochester

Rochester, New York, 14627, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

STRIDES

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

Other

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

Primary outcomes

postprandial blood glucose and triglycerides

Time frame: 4 times per week for 4 weeks

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Rochester

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2013
Primary completion: 2013
Study completion: 2015
First posted: Feb 28, 2013
Registry last updated: Apr 30, 2015

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed