Working Memory Training in Type 2 Diabetes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does neurocognitive training have the potential to improve dietary self-care in type 2 diabetes?
IRAS ID
140471
Contact name
Arie Nouwen
Contact email
Research summary
Many people with diabetes report difficulty controlling their dietary intake, reducing their quality of life. The aim of this study is to investigate whether working memory training can help people with diabetes to better resist temptation and control their eating habits without adversely affecting quality of life. Known regions of the brain (subcortical regions) respond to tempting food cues. Frontal regions of the brain have inhibitory control over these subcortical regions. Our working memory is located within the frontal brain regions, thus training in working memory could improve control over subcortical responses to foods. A recent study supported this, finding reduced alcohol intake after working memory training in people with alcohol consumption problems. Working memory training could similarly enhance people’s ability to resist tempting foods. Ultimately, this could improve people’s health and quality of life. Participants will be people with type 2 diabetes who are overweight, have poor control of their diabetes and report difficulty following their diet, but are otherwise in good health. They will receive 25 sessions of web-based working memory training (the complexity of the memory learning task will be adjusted to reflect their level of competence) or placebo training (only the lowest level of complexity will be used). Before, after and at 3-months follow-up, height and weight will be measured and blood tests will be conducted. Other measures will include participants being asked to fill out questionnaires, complete a food diary, do a reaction time computer task involving images of food, and take part in a buffet lunch. Semi-structured interviews will be held to gain an understanding of their experience with the training. The working memory training can be completed at home, with participants attending the university for all measures. Funding for this project has been secured from Diabetes-UK.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/WM/0056
Date of REC Opinion
20 Mar 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion