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Attention Bias Retraining for Obesity

N/A
Waitlist Available
Led By Jack A Yanovski, M.D.
Research Sponsored by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
BMI at or above the 85th percentile for age and sex according to the Centers for Disease Control US Standards (101)
Age between 12 and 17 years (at the start of the study)
Must not have
A significant reduction in weight during the past three months, for any reason, exceeding 5% of body weight
A history of significant or recent brain injury that may considerably influence performance (i.e., any history of loss of consciousness greater than or equal to 30 minutes associated with a head injury, any history of memory loss or hospitalization associated with a head injury, or greater than or equal to 2 concussions within last year)
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 2-weeks
Awards & highlights

Summary

This trial is studying the relationship between eating patterns, body weight, and how the brain reacts to different images in teens.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for right-handed, overweight female teens aged 12-17 with a BMI at or above the 85th percentile. It's not for those who are pregnant, use substances regularly, have had significant brain injuries, are in weight loss programs or psychotherapy for eating behavior, take medications affecting weight/eating (except on a case-by-case basis), have serious psychiatric disorders or major illnesses.
What is being tested?
The study tests if training attention away from unhealthy foods using a smartphone program can affect eating patterns and body weight in teens. Participants will undergo various assessments including MRI scans and blood tests over six visits spanning approximately eight months.
What are the potential side effects?
Since this trial involves non-invasive procedures like attention retraining via smartphone and standard medical assessments (MRI scan, blood draw), side effects may be minimal but could include discomfort from fasting before visits or anxiety during MRI scanning.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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My BMI is in the top 15% for my age and sex.
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I am between 12 and 17 years old.
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I am female.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I have lost more than 5% of my weight in the last three months.
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I have not had a major brain injury or multiple concussions in the past year.
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I am fluent in English and can follow instructions and complete questionnaires in English.
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I have a health issue related to obesity, like high blood pressure or diabetes.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~2-weeks
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 2-weeks for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Change in Beta Band (13-35 Hz) Oscillatory Power During Food-cue Visual Probe Attention Bias Task in the Caudal Anterior Cingulate Cortex Left Hemisphere During Attention Capture (0-250ms Following Stimulus)
Change in Beta Band (13-35 Hz) Oscillatory Power During Food-cue Visual Probe Attention Bias Task in the Caudal Anterior Cingulate Cortex Left Hemisphere During Attention Deployment (250-500ms Following Stimulus)
Change in Beta Band (13-35 Hz) Oscillatory Power During Food-cue Visual Probe Attention Bias Task in the Caudal Anterior Cingulate Cortex Right Hemisphere During Attention Capture (0-250ms Following Stimulus)
+50 more
Secondary study objectives
Frequency of Loss-of-control Eating Episodes

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: AB RetrainingExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Active treatment - the probe always replaces the neutral picture. There is a perfect correlation between picture type and probe location.
Group II: Control shamPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Sham Comparator program - the probe randomly replaces the neutral or food picture. There is no correlation between picture type and probe location

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)Lead Sponsor
2,014 Previous Clinical Trials
2,696,752 Total Patients Enrolled
105 Trials studying Obesity
102,640 Patients Enrolled for Obesity
Jack A Yanovski, M.D.Principal InvestigatorEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
23 Previous Clinical Trials
7,186 Total Patients Enrolled
14 Trials studying Obesity
3,827 Patients Enrolled for Obesity

Media Library

Attention Bias Retraining Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT02977403 — N/A
Obesity Research Study Groups: Control sham, AB Retraining
Obesity Clinical Trial 2023: Attention Bias Retraining Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT02977403 — N/A
Attention Bias Retraining 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT02977403 — N/A
~10 spots leftby Sep 2025
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