MINDED
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A feasibility study of mindfulness training transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in adults with overweight and obesity
IRAS ID
319550
Contact name
Ulrike Schmidt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 2 days
Research summary
Many strategies are employed to reduce the problem of obesity, e.g., calorie restriction, bariatric surgery, and drugs (e.g., liraglutide).However, outcomes from treatment are inadequate. Therefore, there is a need for development of new treatments.
Mindfulness training (MT) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are safe novel interventions that have both been shown to reduce obesity-related eating behaviours (e.g., craving for food), and findings from recent studies suggest these effects on eating behaviour may be greater and longer lasting when mindfulness training and tDCS are delivered simultaneously. As such,the primary aim of the proposed study is to assess the feasibility of using concurrent mindfulness training and tDCS in adults with overweight or obesity.
The mindfulness training programme is an established app-based intervention (provided by Headspace®). In this study, participants will be randomly allocated to receive either MT with real tDCS or MT with sham tDCS or waiting list.
Taking part will involve completing 10 sessions of combined MT+ tDCS( real or sham) over 3 weeks
TDCS is a safe, well tolerated, non-invasive form of brain stimulation which is suitable for supervised self-administration. It stimulates specific brain areas using a mild electrical current (2 mA) via small electrodes placed on the scalp. MT and real/sham tDCS will be delivered simultaneously, i.e. participants will engage in MT whilst receiving tDCS. All participants will be remotely supervised by the study researcher for the duration of each treatment session.Right-handed male and female adults (aged 18 to 60) will be eligible if they are overweight or obese (Body Mass Index ≥25 kg/ m2)
Recruitment/retention rates and participant ratings of intervention acceptability will be assessed to determine whether a future large scale trial of MT + tDCS is feasible (primary objective). The effect of tDCS + MT on obesity-related outcomes will also be examined determine whether the combined intervention shows therapeutic potential (secondary objective).
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0747
Date of REC Opinion
26 Sep 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion