Can smartphone‐based response inhibition training elicit sustained changes in appetite, preference, and cravings for energy‐dense foods? A free‐living randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundFood‐specific response inhibition training has been implemented as a strategy to modify food choices and reward‐related eating behaviours, but short‐term studies have produced equivocal findings.ObjectiveTo longitudinally assess the effect of a smartphone‐based response inhibition intervention on food reward, hedonic eating drive, and cravings in a free‐living setting.Methods84 adults (Mage = 30.49, SDage = 13.01, 52 female) with high responsivity to food cues or overweight/obesity were randomly assigned to a response inhibition training intervention (n = 45) or a control game (n = 39) at home during a training week, followed by a week with no training. Primary analyses compared groups on measures of explicit liking and implicit wanting for food of different energy densities, food cravings, and reward‐related eating throughout this two‐week period.ResultsA reduction was observed in explicit liking and implicit wanting for energy‐dense foods from baseline to post‐training independent of condition (ps < .001). These changes from baseline were sustained after a 1‐week latency period, also independent of condition (ps < .001). These effects coincided with similar observations of hedonic eating drive, tonic cravings, and control over cravings during the observation period (ps < .01).ConclusionsAlthough significant reductions in reward‐related appetite were observed, free‐living response inhibition training did not offer additional benefit over a control activity. Future intervention studies with observable food intake are needed to investigate which appetitive mechanisms most reliably predict eating behaviour over time.Trial RegistrationRetrospectively registered with ANZCTR [ACTRN12622001502729].