EEG neurofeedback for children with overweight and obesity: A proof-of-concept study.

OBJECTIVE: Current treatment options for childhood overweight and obesity do not sufficiently address underlying neurophysiological disturbances, such as deviations in electroencephalography (EEG)-measured brain activity, which may account for weight loss failure. Therefore, the present proof-of-concept study estimated effects of food-cue based EEG neurofeedback for reducing high beta band activity in 8-14-year-old children with overweight/obesity (OO). As secondary outcomes, eating disorder psychopathology, food preferences, self-regulation, quality of life, body mass index, feasibility and acceptance were analyzed. METHODS: Children with OO (N = 20) were offered 10 sessions of EEG neurofeedback over 6 weeks. Assessments prior and after the end of treatment included interview-based, self- and parent-report measures as well as objective anthropometrics. RESULTS: EEG neurofeedback resulted in a less than small-sized reduction of food-specific high beta band activity pre- vs. post-intervention. Small effects on the reduction of children's standardized body mass index, external eating behavior, and medium to large effects for overeating were documented. Feasibility and acceptance were provided. CONCLUSION: Promising results of the present proof-of-concept study indicate the need for further in-depth research with larger samples, adequate control groups, and randomized design. SIGNIFICANCE: Potentially, EEG neurofeedback is a valuable, resource-efficient addition to standard treatment options for childhood obesity.