Using Virtual Reality and Sensor Technology to Enhance Outcomes From Treatment for Binge Eating

Low levels of inhibitory control (i.e., the ability to withhold a quick, automatic response) is strongly linked with binge eating pathology. One of the most widely used and effective treatments for binge eating leaves 40-60% of patients partially or fully symptomatic at post-treatment. Researchers have begun to investigate the efficacy of computerized inhibitory control trainings (ICTs), which are tasks in which participants are asked repeatedly withhold a keypress responses to food stimuli. The intention of these trainings is to improve inhibitory control and to, in turn, reduce dysregulated eating behavior. Results for the efficacy of ICTs are promising, yet mixed. ICTs that are gamified (i.e., turned into a video game) using virtual reality technology have high potential to address the barriers which may be limiting the efficacy of previous ICTs. The current study aims to finalize development and test the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of the first-ever virtual reality ICT (VR-ICT) for individuals with binge eating pathology. Thus, the study's aims are as follows: Primary aim 1: Enhance features of a previously developed, VR-based ICT for binge eating. Primary aim 2: Examine the feasibility and acceptability of the VR ICT training program. Primary aim 3: Examine the efficacy of VR-ICT versus a non-VR ICT and ICT vs. sham training, for reductions in binge eating from pre to post-treatment and at follow-up. Based on previous research and data from a pilot study, the investigators hypothesize a) that the VR ICT training program will be feasible and acceptable and b) that the VR-ICT and ICT will produce superior reductions in binge eating from pre- to post-treatment and at follow-up, as compared, respectively, with the non-VR ICT and the sham ICT.