Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback training in the treatment of patients with eating disorder and comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder

Phase 4

• Conditions: F50; F43.1; Eating disorders; Post-traumatic stress disorder

• Registration Number: DRKS00027826
• Lead Sponsor: Parkland-Klinik Klinik für Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie

Brief Summary

Our results indicate better treatment outcomes in the ILF neurofeedback group with regard to global post-traumatic stress and trauma-associated avoidance as well as with regard to restraint eating and increase of body weight. Furthermore, patients who had received ILF neurofeedback training were more satisfied with their treatment than patients of the control group and were less likely to abandon the intervention or to leave the in-patient treatment prematurely. ILF neurofeedback training is very well accepted by patients and seems to provide a relevant additional benefit in terms of symptom reduction. Findings support the case for a larger study for greater statistical power.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Completion: 2021-04-22
• Study Start: 2022-01-19
• Results First Posted: 2022-05-06
• Last Update Posted: 19 August 2024

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Complete
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 37

Inclusion Criteria

Diagnosis of an eating disorder (ICD-10: F50.00-F50.9) and diagnosis of PTSD or incomplete PTSD (ICD-10: F43.1; F43.8)

Exclusion Criteria

Previous treatment experience with neurofeedback training; susceptibility to epileptic seizures

Study & Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
At the beginning and at the end of their treatment, all participants completed the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) as a measure of eating disorder psychopathology with a global score and the four subscales Restraint, Eating Concern, Weight Concern, and Shape Concern. They also completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) with a global score and three subscales (avoidance, hyperarousal, and intrusion) in order to assess symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Increases in Body Mass Index over time (T0-T1) were calculated for participants who were underweight before treatment. Patients underwent regular supervised weight controls.<br>Subjective benefit of the intervention received was estimated by all participants on a 0-10 scale at T1.<br>Cases of treatment discontinuation were assessed in both groups.