Outcomes of Neurofeedback Training in Childhood Obesity Management: A Pilot Study

The Use of Complementary and Alternative Treatments in Adolescent Obesity: A Narrative Review

Adolescent obesity is a growing global health problem all around the world. We reviewed the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for adolescent obesity, examining improvements in BMI or any metabolic indices of obesity. We performed a PubMed and Scopus search for articles on CAM treatments in adolescents aged 12-17 years, and included all studies with subjects in that age range. Out of 226 PubMed articles and 14 Scopus articles, 28 articles from PubMed and 1 article from Scopus fit our criteria. Most CAM studies that showed some improvement in BMI were acupuncture- or yoga-based. Yoga-based interventions showed a BMI reduction of 1-2 points, which is similar to results achieved in studies based on physical activity and Orlistat, a weak anti-obesity medication; meanwhile, acupuncture-based studies showed a slightly higher BMI reduction of 2-4 points, similar to that achieved with Liraglutide, a GLP-1 agonist that is a good anti-obesity medication. Herbs and supplements showed improvement in metabolic markers of obesity. Stress interventions in mind-body interventions, music skip-rope exercise, and creative drama in physical activity-based interventions also showed improvement in BMI. Although many of the studies reviewed were RCTs, the small sample size of those RCTs is a limiting factor. There may be a role for investigating this topic in larger populations to generate more effective conclusions.

Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback: A Systematic Mixed Studies Review

Introduction

Neurofeedback training is increasingly applied as a therapeutic tool in a variety of disorders, with growing scientific and clinical interest in the last two decades. Different Neurofeedback approaches have been developed over time, so it is now important to be able to distinguish between them and investigate the effectiveness and efficiency characteristics of each specific protocol. In this study we intend to examine the effects of Neurofeedback based on slow brain activity, the so-called Infra-Low Frequency (ILF) training a recently developed methodology that seems promising for the regulation of the central nervous system.

Aims

With this review we intend to summarize the currently existing literature on ILF-Neurofeedback, examine its quality and formulate indications about the clinical effectiveness of ILF-Neurofeedback.

Methods

Literature search was first conducted according to PRISMA principles, described, and then assessed using the MMAT appraisal tool. 18 well-documented studies of ILF-Neurofeedback training in human subjects were picked up and analyzed. Reports include group interventions as well as single case studies.

Results

Research data indicates good potential for ILF-Neurofeedback to influence brain activity and neurovegetative parameters. From the clinical profile, a salient common observation is a high level of individualization as a specific characteristic of ILF-Training: this feature seems to correlate with effectiveness of ILF-Neurofeedback, but also poses a challenge for researchers in terms of producing controlled and comparable findings; according to this point, some recommendation for future research on ILF-Neurofeedback are proposed. In conclusion, ILF-neurofeedback shows great potential for application for all those conditions in which the regulation of brain activity and neurophysiological processes are crucial. Further research will make it possible to complete the available data and to have a broader overview of its possible applications.

EEG Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Adults with Binge-Eating Disorder: a Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Specific alterations in electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain activity have recently been linked to binge-eating disorder (BED), generating interest in treatment options targeting these neuronal processes. This randomized-controlled pilot study examined the effectiveness and feasibility of two EEG neurofeedback paradigms in the reduction of binge eating, eating disorder and general psychopathology, executive functioning, and EEG activity. Adults with BED and overweight (N = 39) were randomly assigned to either a food-specific EEG neurofeedback paradigm, aiming at reducing fronto-central beta activity and enhancing theta activity after viewing highly palatable food pictures, or a general EEG neurofeedback paradigm training the regulation of slow cortical potentials. In both conditions, the study design included a waiting period of 6 weeks, followed by 6 weeks EEG neurofeedback (10 sessions à 30 min) and a 3-month follow-up period. Both EEG neurofeedback paradigms significantly reduced objective binge-eating episodes, global eating disorder psychopathology, and food craving. Approximately one third of participants achieved abstinence from objective binge-eating episodes after treatment without any differences between treatments. These results were stable at 3-month follow-up. Among six measured executive functions, only decision making improved at posttreatment in both paradigms, and cognitive flexibility was significantly improved after food-specific neurofeedback only. Both EEG neurofeedback paradigms were equally successful in reducing relative beta and enhancing relative theta power over fronto-central regions. The results highlight EEG neurofeedback as a promising treatment option for individuals with BED. Future studies in larger samples are needed to determine efficacy and treatment mechanisms.

Neurofeedback for insomnia: Current state of research

BACKGROUND

Chronic insomnia affects about 6%-13% of the Canadian population. Although treatments already exist, they each have their own issues. Neurofeedback is a neuromodulation technique that specifically targets abnormal brain activity and is gaining attention as a possible insomnia treatment.

AIM

To review the latest studies pertaining to the use of neurofeedback in the treatment of insomnia.

METHODS

In this non-systematic review, only experimental studies assessing the effects of neurofeedback on patients with insomnia were targeted across four bibliographic databases.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies were retained. All neurofeedback studies included in this study showed a clear improvement of subjective sleep. However, data concerning objective improvement are contradictory. Most studies regarding surface and z-score neurofeedback show that neurofeedback targeting the sensorimotor rhythm in the sensorimotor cortex may help improve subjective sleep. A placebo effect seems also to be present in some studies. Several limitations were present in each study.

CONCLUSION

While studies concerning neurofeedback as a treatment for insomnia are encouraging, many methodological barriers remain to be resolved to prove its efficacy unequivocally. More studies using robust design parameters, as well as the replication of existing studies, are necessary to support neurofeedback as an effective treatment for insomnia.

Pediatric weight management, dietary restraint, dieting, and eating disorder risk: a systematic review

CONTEXT

Whether dietary restraint and dieting are risk factors associated with eating disorders has not been explored in the context of pediatric weight management.

OBJECTIVE

To review associations between dietary pediatric weight management, dietary restraint, dieting, and eating disorder risk.

DATA SOURCES, SELECTION, AND EXTRACTION

Four databases - MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO - were searched to May 2020 to identify pediatric weight management interventions with a dietary component for children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. The review was limited to studies reporting dietary restraint and/or dieting at preintervention, postintervention, and/or follow-up. Screening and quality assessment were conducted in duplicate, and data extraction was completed by 1 reviewer and cross-checked for accuracy. Data extracted included study characteristics, dietary restraint/dieting, and eating disorder-related outcomes (including disordered eating, body image, self-esteem, depression, and anxiety).

RESULTS

A total of 26 papers, representing 23 studies, were included. Of these, 20 studies reported on dietary restraint, which increased (10 postintervention, 6 follow-up) or remained unchanged (7 postintervention, 5 follow-up), and 5 studies reported on dieting, which increased (1 study), remained unchanged (2 studies) or decreased (2 studies) postintervention. All studies that reported on other eating disorder risk factors (eg, binge eating, body dissatisfaction, and depression) and weight-related outcomes found improvement or no change postintervention or at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The results of this review suggest that current measures of dietary restraint and dieting are not associated with eating disorder risk within the context of pediatric weight management; however, long-term data is limited. In addition, those current measures may not be suitable risk markers. Concerns about dietary restraint and dieting leading to eating disorders should not prevent access to quality care for young people with obesity.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration no. 2017 CRD42017069488.

A systematic review of neural correlates of dysregulated eating associated with obesity risk in youth

Dysregulated eating among children and adolescents is associated with a wide range of negative mental and physical health outcomes, including obesity. However, less is known regarding underlying neural mechanisms underlying such behaviors. Therefore, the present manuscript systematically reviewed neuroimaging research examining dysregulated eating behavior linked to excess weight in children and adolescents. A systematic literature search identified 23 eligible studies, the majority of which were cross-sectional functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies and excluded participants with psychiatric disorders. Dysregulated eating was captured by measures of eating styles and eating self-regulation, eating disorder behaviors, food addiction, objective measures of non-homeostatic eating and caloric restriction. While preliminary, findings suggested eating dysregulation was related to aberrant functioning within the frontostriatal and frontoparietal regions involved in self-regulatory processes, as well as regions involved in satiety signaling and interoception. This heterogeneous body of research is continually growing and may have potential to inform future prevention and intervention approaches. Results also identified several important limitations to consider and highlight key areas for future research.

Treatment of obesity, with a dietary component, and eating disorder risk in children and adolescents: A systematic review with meta-analysis

This review aimed to investigate the impact of obesity treatment, with a dietary component, on eating disorder (ED) prevalence, ED risk, and related symptoms in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. Four databases were searched to identify pediatric obesity treatment interventions, with a dietary component, and validated pre-post intervention assessment of related outcomes. Of 3078 articles screened, 36 met inclusion criteria, with a combined sample of 2589 participants aged 7.8 to 16.9 years. Intervention duration ranged from 1 week to 13 months, with follow-up of 6 months to 6 years from baseline. Prevalence of ED was reported in five studies and was reduced post-intervention. Meta-analyses showed a reduction in bulimic symptoms (eight studies, standardized mean difference [SE], -0.326 [0.09], P < 0.001), emotional eating (six studies, -0.149 [0.06], P = 0.008), binge eating (three studies, -0.588 [0.10], P < 0.001), and drive for thinness (three studies, -0.167 [0.06], P = 0.005) post-intervention. At follow-up, a reduction in ED risk (six studies, -0.313 [0.13], P = 0.012), emotional eating (five studies, -0.259 [0.05], P < 0.001), eating concern (three studies, -0.501 [0.06], P < 0.001), and drive for thinness (two studies, -0.375 [0.07], P < 0.001) was found. Structured and professionally run obesity treatment was associated with reduced ED prevalence, ED risk, and symptoms.

Diet, physical activity and behavioural interventions for the treatment of overweight or obese children from the age of 6 to 11 years

BACKGROUND

Child and adolescent overweight and obesity has increased globally, and can be associated with significant short- and long-term health consequences. This is an update of a Cochrane review published first in 2003, and updated previously in 2009. However, the update has now been split into six reviews addressing different childhood obesity treatments at different ages.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of diet, physical activity and behavioural interventions (behaviour-changing interventions) for the treatment of overweight or obese children aged 6 to 11 years.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, LILACS as well as trial registers ClinicalTrials.gov and ICTRP Search Portal. We checked references of studies and systematic reviews. We did not apply any language restrictions. The date of the last search was July 2016 for all databases.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We selected randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of diet, physical activity, and behavioural interventions (behaviour-changing interventions) for treating overweight or obese children aged 6 to 11 years, with a minimum of six months' follow-up. We excluded interventions that specifically dealt with the treatment of eating disorders or type 2 diabetes, or included participants with a secondary or syndromic cause of obesity.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently screened references, extracted data, assessed risk of bias, and evaluated the quality of the evidence using the GRADE instrument. We contacted study authors for additional information. We carried out meta-analyses according to the statistical guidelines in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 70 RCTs with a total of 8461 participants randomised to either the intervention or control groups. The number of participants per trial ranged from 16 to 686. Fifty-five trials compared a behaviour-changing intervention with no treatment/usual care control and 15 evaluated the effectiveness of adding an additional component to a behaviour-changing intervention. Sixty-four trials were parallel RCTs, and four were cluster RCTs. Sixty-four trials were multicomponent, two were diet only and four were physical activity only interventions. Ten trials had more than two arms. The overall quality of the evidence was low or very low and 62 trials had a high risk of bias for at least one criterion. Total duration of trials ranged from six months to three years. The median age of participants was 10 years old and the median BMI z score was 2.2.Primary analyses demonstrated that behaviour-changing interventions compared to no treatment/usual care control at longest follow-up reduced BMI, BMI z score and weight. Mean difference (MD) in BMI was -0.53 kg/m2 (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.82 to -0.24); P < 0.00001; 24 trials; 2785 participants; low-quality evidence. MD in BMI z score was -0.06 units (95% CI -0.10 to -0.02); P = 0.001; 37 trials; 4019 participants; low-quality evidence and MD in weight was -1.45 kg (95% CI -1.88 to -1.02); P < 0.00001; 17 trials; 1774 participants; low-quality evidence.Thirty-one trials reported on serious adverse events, with 29 trials reporting zero occurrences RR 0.57 (95% CI 0.17 to 1.93); P = 0.37; 4/2105 participants in the behaviour-changing intervention groups compared with 7/1991 participants in the comparator groups). Few trials reported health-related quality of life or behaviour change outcomes, and none of the analyses demonstrated a substantial difference in these outcomes between intervention and control. In two trials reporting on minutes per day of TV viewing, a small reduction of 6.6 minutes per day (95% CI -12.88 to -0.31), P = 0.04; 2 trials; 55 participants) was found in favour of the intervention. No trials reported on all-cause mortality, morbidity or socioeconomic effects, and few trials reported on participant views; none of which could be meta-analysed.As the meta-analyses revealed substantial heterogeneity, we conducted subgroup analyses to examine the impact of type of comparator, type of intervention, risk of attrition bias, setting, duration of post-intervention follow-up period, parental involvement and baseline BMI z score. No subgroup effects were shown for any of the subgroups on any of the outcomes. Some data indicated that a reduction in BMI immediately post-intervention was no longer evident at follow-up at less than six months, which has to be investigated in further trials.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Multi-component behaviour-changing interventions that incorporate diet, physical activity and behaviour change may be beneficial in achieving small, short-term reductions in BMI, BMI z score and weight in children aged 6 to 11 years. The evidence suggests a very low occurrence of adverse events. The quality of the evidence was low or very low. The heterogeneity observed across all outcomes was not explained by subgrouping. Further research is required of behaviour-changing interventions in lower income countries and in children from different ethnic groups; also on the impact of behaviour-changing interventions on health-related quality of life and comorbidities. The sustainability of reduction in BMI/BMI z score and weight is a key consideration and there is a need for longer-term follow-up and further research on the most appropriate forms of post-intervention maintenance in order to ensure intervention benefits are sustained over the longer term.