Mindful Motivation for Binge Eating

Overseen By Isabella Fornell, MA

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco

Disqualifiers: Experienced meditator, Medical concerns, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 8 weeks

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new approach for individuals who are overweight and struggle with binge eating. It combines mindful eating techniques with motivational interviewing to determine if it reduces binge eating more effectively than meditation alone. Participants will meditate daily and, if in the Mindful Motivation group, receive brief counseling over eight weeks. Suitable candidates experience frequent binge eating episodes that cause distress and have access to a smartphone or computer. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative strategies for managing binge eating.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this intervention is safe for people with overweight and binge eating?

Research has shown that mindfulness-based activities are generally safe and manageable for most people. Studies indicate that mindfulness techniques, such as those in the Mindful Motivation program, usually have few negative effects. Participants often find these practices calming and easy to incorporate into daily life.

Motivational interviewing, which helps individuals discover their reasons for making changes, is also considered safe. This approach facilitates discussions about desired changes, such as improving eating habits.

No evidence suggests significant risks with these activities. They are non-invasive and focus on providing mental and emotional support. While individual experiences may vary, the combination of mindful eating and motivational interviewing in this trial is expected to be well-received by most participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Mindful Motivation for binge eating because it combines mindfulness with motivational interviewing, a unique approach not commonly used together in current treatments. While standard care often includes cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication, this treatment leverages digital tools, such as Headspace, to make mindfulness more accessible. By integrating online counseling and support forums, it offers a personalized and flexible experience that could empower individuals to manage their eating habits more effectively.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for binge eating?

Research shows that mindfulness-based programs can help reduce binge eating. Studies have found that these programs significantly decrease the number of binge eating episodes. For example, a group meditation program reduced binge eating from about four times to 1.5 times per week. Mindfulness practices also improve control over eating and increase awareness of fullness. In this trial, participants in the Mindful Motivation Group will experience a combination of mindful eating and motivational interviewing, which might effectively manage binge eating. Meanwhile, participants in the Active Control Condition will engage in a meditation intervention. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Rachel Radin, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of California, San Francisco

Elissa Epel, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of California, San Francisco

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals who are overweight and struggle with binge eating. Participants will be asked to complete online questionnaires, provide body composition data, and meditate daily. They must not have conditions that exclude them from the study.

Inclusion Criteria

At least 1 episode of binge eating each month over the past 3 months with significant distress about these episodes

Daily access to a smartphone or computer

Overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2)

Exclusion Criteria

Inability to speak and read English or provide informed consent

I have been practicing meditation regularly for the last 3 months.

Significant medical or psychological concerns

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in an 8-week program involving mindful eating and motivational interviewing, with digital meditation

8 weeks

1 initial counseling session, 3 booster calls

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in weight, waist circumference, and glucose levels

6 months

Measurements at baseline, week 4, week 8, and 6-month follow-up

Optional Extension

Participants have access to optional educational materials and an online support forum

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Meditation
• Mindful Motivation

Trial Overview

The trial tests a new intervention combining mindful eating techniques with motivational interviewing against an active control of digital meditation alone. The goal is to see if this approach can reduce binge eating episodes.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Mindful Motivation Group Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants will be assigned to a eating intervention that combines general mindfulness (via headspace) with motivational interviewing for mindful eating They will be asked to attend an online counseling session along with three 10-minute booster phone calls. They will be asked to engage with a digital-based mindful eating program once per week over the course of 8 weeks. In addition, participants will have access to optional educational materials on mindful eating and an optional online private support forum after the intervention period is finished.

Group II: Active Control Condition Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in the meditation intervention group will be assigned to a digitally-based meditation intervention (via Headspace) and asked to use this for at least 10 minutes a day over the course of 8 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, San Francisco

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,636

Recruited

19,080,000+

DexCom, Inc.

Industry Sponsor

Trials

151

Recruited

35,700+

Kevin Sayer

DexCom, Inc.

Chief Executive Officer since 2015

Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accounting and Information Systems from Brigham Young University

Dr. Shelly Lane

DexCom, Inc.

Chief Medical Officer since 2023

MD from University of California, San Diego

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Collaborator

Trials

886

Recruited

677,000+

Headspace Meditation Limited

Industry Sponsor

Trials

7

Recruited

1,700+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Mindfulness-based eating awareness training (MB-EAT) is an effective group intervention for treating binge eating disorder (BED), focusing on mindfulness practices to help individuals manage emotional and behavioral responses related to food.

Current research indicates that MB-EAT can significantly reduce binge eating episodes, enhance self-control over eating, and alleviate depressive symptoms, addressing the core issues associated with BED.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-based eating awareness training for treating binge eating disorder: the conceptual foundation. Kristeller, JL., Wolever, RQ.[2022]

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) significantly reduced binge eating severity in a meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials involving 618 participants, showing an effect size of -0.39 at the end of treatment.

While MBIs were effective in reducing binge eating and also improved depression and emotion regulation, these benefits were not maintained at follow-up, indicating a need for ongoing support after the intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Two decades of mindfulness-based interventions for binge eating: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Grohmann, D., Laws, KR.[2021]

A 6-week meditation-based group intervention significantly reduced binge eating frequency from 4.02 to 1.57 times per week among 18 obese women, indicating its efficacy in treating Binge Eating Disorder (BED).

Participants also showed significant improvements in depression and anxiety scores, along with an increased sense of control, suggesting that mindfulness meditation can be a valuable tool in managing BED.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Exploratory Study of a Meditation-based Intervention for Binge Eating Disorder. Kristeller, JL., Hallett, CB.[2022]

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