Stephanie M Manasse1, Elizabeth W Lampe2, Adrienne S Juarascio2, Jichen Zhu3, Evan M Forman2. 1. Center for Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. Electronic address: smm522@drexel.edu. 2. Center for Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Department of Psychology, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. 3. Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: One reason for limited efficacy of treatments for binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN) is a failure to directly target deficits in inhibitory control (i.e., the ability to withhold a pre-potent response). Inhibitory control trainings (ICTs; computerized tasks meant to improve inhibitory control) have shown promise but appear not to be powerful enough to generalize to real-word eating behavior or engaging enough for to sustain long-term compliance. Delivering an ICT through virtual reality (VR) technology should increase intervention power because 3D imagery and actual real hand/arm movements are lifelike and may improve compliance because the VR environment is highly engaging. Thus, we created the first-ever VR-based ICT to test its initial feasibility, acceptability, and impact on binge eating. METHOD: We recruited participants (N = 14) with once-weekly loss-of-control (LOC) eating to use the VR ICT daily, at home, for two weeks, and measured feasibility, acceptability and change in LOC eating at post-intervention and 2-week follow-up. RESULTS: The VR ICT was feasible to construct and deploy, and demonstrated high acceptability and compliance (i.e., 86.8% of daily trainings completed). Users of the VR ICT experienced large decreases in LOC eating at post-intervention and 2-week follow-up. DISCUSSION: Results from this initial pilot indicate that delivering ICT through VR is feasible, acceptable, and is associated with reductions in binge eating. Future study is warranted and should examine whether a VR ICT can serve as a useful adjunct to standard treatment for BN and BED.
OBJECTIVE: One reason for limited efficacy of treatments for binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN) is a failure to directly target deficits in inhibitory control (i.e., the ability to withhold a pre-potent response). Inhibitory control trainings (ICTs; computerized tasks meant to improve inhibitory control) have shown promise but appear not to be powerful enough to generalize to real-word eating behavior or engaging enough for to sustain long-term compliance. Delivering an ICT through virtual reality (VR) technology should increase intervention power because 3D imagery and actual real hand/arm movements are lifelike and may improve compliance because the VR environment is highly engaging. Thus, we created the first-ever VR-based ICT to test its initial feasibility, acceptability, and impact on binge eating. METHOD: We recruited participants (N = 14) with once-weekly loss-of-control (LOC) eating to use the VR ICT daily, at home, for two weeks, and measured feasibility, acceptability and change in LOC eating at post-intervention and 2-week follow-up. RESULTS: The VR ICT was feasible to construct and deploy, and demonstrated high acceptability and compliance (i.e., 86.8% of daily trainings completed). Users of the VR ICT experienced large decreases in LOC eating at post-intervention and 2-week follow-up. DISCUSSION: Results from this initial pilot indicate that delivering ICT through VR is feasible, acceptable, and is associated with reductions in binge eating. Future study is warranted and should examine whether a VR ICT can serve as a useful adjunct to standard treatment for BN and BED.
Authors: Merel Krijn; Paul M G Emmelkamp; Roeline Biemond; Claudius de Wilde de Ligny; Martijn J Schuemie; Charles A P G van der Mast Journal: Behav Res Ther Date: 2004-02
Authors: Evan M Forman; Stephanie M Manasse; Diane H Dallal; Rebecca J Crochiere; Caitlin M Loyka; Meghan L Butryn; Adrienne S Juarascio; Katrijn Houben Journal: J Behav Med Date: 2019-03-19
Authors: Ronald C Kessler; Patricia A Berglund; Wai Tat Chiu; Anne C Deitz; James I Hudson; Victoria Shahly; Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola; Jordi Alonso; Matthias C Angermeyer; Corina Benjet; Ronny Bruffaerts; Giovanni de Girolamo; Ron de Graaf; Josep Maria Haro; Viviane Kovess-Masfety; Siobhan O'Neill; Jose Posada-Villa; Carmen Sasu; Kate Scott; Maria Carmen Viana; Miguel Xavier Journal: Biol Psychiatry Date: 2013-01-03 Impact factor: 13.382
Authors: Stephanie M Manasse; Adrienne S Juarascio; Evan M Forman; Laura A Berner; Meghan L Butryn; Anthony C Ruocco Journal: Eur Eat Disord Rev Date: 2014-06-24