Cognitive bias modification interventions for attention to and approach of appetitive food stimuli: A meta-analysis

Fodor, Liviu A.; Cosmoiu, Ana; Podină, Ioana R.

doi:10.24193/jebp.2017.2.5

Cited by 23 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…We assessed the results of 66 experiments, which included a total of 5787 participants, that examined the effects of cognitive training paradigms targeting cognitive bias or executive control—namely, working memory training, inhibition training, attention bias modification training, approach/avoidance training, and episodic future thinking training. Although some meta‐analyses have been conducted on this topic before, our meta‐analysis differed from these in several important ways. First, we included twenty‐six studies not included in these prior meta‐analyses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several reviews have been conducted to summarize empirical findings regarding the effects of cognitive training in eating behaviour and obesity . These reviews, together with the fact that this field is growing rapidly, inspired the current study, which conducted a meta‐analysis to evaluate if cognitive training interventions are effective in changing eating behaviour as well as an updated systematic review to evaluate if cognitive training interventions could lead to weight loss.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cognitive training on eating behaviour and weight loss: A meta‐analysis and systematic review

Yang

Shields

et al. 2019

Obesity Reviews

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Cognitive deficits play a role in the development and maintenance of overeating and obesity, and cognitive training in obesity refers to a family of interventions aimed at reducing overeating and obesity by improving these cognitive deficits. In this review, we synthesize the current literature on these issues by conducting a meta-analysis of studies investigating the effects of cognitive trainings on eating behaviour and presenting a systematic review of studies investigating the effects of cognitive trainings on weight loss. We examined 66 independent experiments that examined the effects of cognitive training aimed at reducing cognitive bias or improving executive control on eating behaviour and weight loss. Overall, inhibition training, attention bias modification training, and episodic future thinking training significantly influenced eating behaviour; however, approach/avoidance training did not significantly influence eating behaviour. Moderator analyses indicated that the effect of inhibition training on eating behaviour was moderated by training task and food novelty, the effect of approach/avoidance training was moderated by food type, and the effect of episodic future thinking training was moderated by type of episodic future thinking. Literature reviewed on cognitive training and weight loss provided preliminary support for the effects of food-specific inhibition training on weight loss from pre-intervention to post intervention. However, because most of the included studies focused on short-term outcomes in normal-weight samples, longer duration studies in clinical populations (eg, individuals with obesity) are needed to examine the generalizability of these results. KEYWORDS cognitive training, eating behaviour, meta-analysis, weight loss 1 | INTRODUCTION Excess weight has become a cause of growing health care costs and accounts for over 2.8 million deaths per year, 1 emphasizing the need for effective treatment. In order to promote weight loss, interventions such as behavioural interventions or bariatric surgery are frequently implemented. However, the amount of weight loss achieved via behavioural weight loss interventions is, at best, only modest and rarely does it last. 2 Although bariatric surgery is an effective weight loss intervention for severe obesity, it is highly invasive and can result in medical complications. 3 Therefore, it is vital to identify novel, noninvasive interventions that foster weight loss. Recent literature emphasizes the importance of cognitive mechanisms in the regulation of eating behaviour and body weight. 4-7 Manypeople nowadays live in an obesogenic food environment and are constantly exposed to appetitive yet unhealthy foods, especially those that contain much sugar and fat. 8 In such an environment, unhealthy eating behaviour (eg, forgoing healthy foods in favour of inexpensive,

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognitive training on eating behaviour and weight loss: A meta‐analysis and systematic review

Yang

Shields

et al. 2019

Obesity Reviews

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“…Based on the hypothesis that sustained AB to food is associated with increased intake, the aim of ABMT in such studies was to reduce attention to food [7,12]. In support of this, reviews and meta-analyses have described significant effects of different types of cognitive bias modification training (including ABMT) in changing AB and eating behaviour [13,14].…”

Section: Attention Bias Modification Training (Abmt)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Food related attention bias modification training for anorexia nervosa and its potential underpinning mechanisms

et al. 2020

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Treatment outcomes in anorexia nervosa (AN) remain suboptimal, evidencing the need for better and more targeted treatments. Whilst the aetiology of AN is complex, cognitive processes such as attention bias (AB) have been proposed to contribute to maintaining food restriction behaviour. Attention bias modification raining (ABMT) has been investigated in other eating disorders (EDs) such as binge eating disorder (BED) as a means of modifying AB for food and of changing eating behaviour. Promising findings have been reported, but the mechanisms underlying ABMT are poorly understood. We hypothesise that in AN, ABMT has the potential to modify maladaptive eating behaviours related to anxiety around food and eating and propose two mechanistic models; (1) ABMT increases general attentional control (which will improve control over disorder-relevant thoughts) or (2) ABMT promotes stimulus re-evaluation. In this second case, the effects of ABMT might arise via changes in the subjective value of food stimuli (i.e. reward processing) or via habituation, with both resulting in a reduced threat response. Investigating the clinical potential of ABMT in AN holds the promise of a novel, evidence-based adjunctive treatment approach. Importantly, understanding ABMT's underlying mechanisms will help tailor treatment protocols and improve understanding of the cognitive characteristics of AN and other EDs.

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“…One metaanalysis reported a reduction in high-calorie food consumption (medium effect size) after training participants to look away from high-caloric food cues [23]. A second meta-analysis of the effects of different cognitive bias modification trainings (including ABMT) reported a medium effect size in modifying AB towards food cues in individuals with normal weight and with overweight/ obesity [24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study protocol of a randomised controlled feasibility study of food-related computerised attention training versus mindfulness training and waiting-list control for adults with overweight or obesity

Mercado

Werthmann

Campbell

et al. 2020

Trials

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Background: Obesity is a highly prevalent condition with multiple adverse health consequences. Widely available first-line treatments for obesity, such as dietary and other lifestyle interventions, typically have only short-term effects. Thus, new treatment approaches are needed. Novel interventions such as Attention Bias Modification Training (ABMT) and mindfulness-based interventions focus on modifying different maladaptive cognitive patterns typically present in people with obesity (e.g. attention bias to food cues); however, their mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. We describe the theoretical basis and the rationale for a study protocol of a feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing two attention trainings (ABMT vs Mindfulness Training [MT]) in people with overweight or obesity. The aim of this study is to inform the development of a large-scale RCT in relation to acceptability and attendance rates and to identify preliminary evidence for the interventions' clinical efficacy and potential underlying mechanisms. Design: Forty-five adults who are either overweight or obese (minimum body mass index of 25 kg/m 2) will be randomly allocated to receive eight sessions over eight weeks of either computerised ABMT or MT or be on a waiting list. Clinical and cognitive outcomes will be assessed at baseline, post-treatment (8 weeks) and follow-up (12 weeks post-randomisation). These include mood, body composition and attention biases. Credibility and acceptability of the trainings will be assessed using questionnaires, and recruitment and retention rates will be recorded. Discussion: Findings will inform the feasibility of developing a large-scale RCT that takes into consideration effect sizes for primary outcome measures and the acceptability of the design. The study will also provide preliminary evidence on the clinical efficacy of two different attention trainings for people with obesity and associated underlying mechanisms.

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Cognitive bias modification interventions for attention to and approach of appetitive food stimuli: A meta-analysis

Cited by 23 publications

References 21 publications

Cognitive training on eating behaviour and weight loss: A meta‐analysis and systematic review

Cognitive training on eating behaviour and weight loss: A meta‐analysis and systematic review

Food related attention bias modification training for anorexia nervosa and its potential underpinning mechanisms

Study protocol of a randomised controlled feasibility study of food-related computerised attention training versus mindfulness training and waiting-list control for adults with overweight or obesity

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