FOCUS study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A randomised controlled feasibility study of food related computerised attention training for obesity versus active (mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) and waiting list control (FOCUS).
IRAS ID
241656
Contact name
Daniela Mercado Beivide
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN15745838
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, days
Research summary
Attention biases (AB) occur when something that is emotionally-relevant for a person (e.g. a picture or an object), captures their attention more rapidly than something without any emotional value (MacLeod et al., 2002). Recent research suggests that people with obesity and binge eating disorder (BED) present an attention bias towards food, which may contribute to excessive food craving and food intake (Werthmann et al., 2014, Hendrikse et al., 2015). Some studies show that interventions like Attention Bias Modification Trainings (ABMT) can modify this attention pattern and impact eating habits (Werthmann, Jansen & Roefs 2015, Kakoschke Kemps, & Tiggemann 2014, Werthmann 2014). Similarly, other treatments like Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBI), which also target attention, have shown good results modifying unhealthy eating behaviour (Rogers et al., 2016, Wimmer et al., 2016).
Based on the potential role of attention biases in eating behaviour, in this feasibility trial we want to compare two different attention trainings (i.e. ABMT vs MBI) in people who are overweight or suffer from obesity using a waiting-list condition as control.
Participants will be allocated to take either one of the conditions for 8 weeks. Training sessions will take place in Denmark Hill, London once a week in addition to daily 10 min sessions at home. 4 weeks after their last session, participants will be asked to complete a follow-up online questionnaire (i.e. at week 12). Before the first training session and after the last one, we will take participants’ weight, ask about their eating habits, mood and other measures. In addition, participants will be asked about their general experience of the treatment, which will be informative to develop a bigger clinical trial in the future.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1683
Date of REC Opinion
13 Nov 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion