Training to improve brain control and reduce excess weight
Official title: Inhibitory Control Training and Theta Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (iTBS) for Treating People With Excess Weight: Behavioral and Brain Changes (InhibE).
Run by Universidad de Granada · NCT06668077 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing whether a new brain training method combined with a special type of brain stimulation can help people with excess weight make healthier choices and improve their overall well-being.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 141 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Universidad de Granada Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Granada) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 30, 2024 |
| Main results expected | November 30, 2024 |
| Study ends | December 2026 |
| Registry record updated | February 14, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06668077 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 to 60 with a BMI between 25 and 39.9 who are proficient in Spanish.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with severe psychological disorders, eating disorders, or contraindications for iTBS or fMRI will not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effects of intermittent theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (iTBS) on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) combined with inhibitory control training to address issues related to excess weight. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either active iTBS with training, active iTBS alone, or a control condition. The study aims to evaluate changes in body mass index (BMI), cravings, cognitive functions, and emotional well-being, as well as alterations in brain connectivity and activation. By targeting impulsivity and decision-making deficits, the intervention seeks to promote healthier behaviors and improve overall health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could lead to significant reductions in weight and improvements in cognitive and emotional health for individuals struggling with excess weight.
How similar studies have gone: While the combination of iTBS and cognitive training is a novel approach, similar studies have shown promise in using neuromodulation techniques for behavioral and cognitive improvements.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * BMI between 25 and 39.9 * Age between 18 and 60 years * Proficiency in the Spanish language * Right lateral dominance to avoid differential effects due to cortical hemispheric specialization Exclusion Criteria: * Traumatic, digestive, metabolic or systemic disorders that affect the central nervous system, autonomic or endocrine * Severe psychopathological disorders and suicidal ideation or treatment for depression * Eating disorders * Contraindication for performing fMRI (pregnancy, metal implants, etc.) or iTBS (tinnitus, dizziness, surgical interventions, diseases or drugs that affect the CNS, etc.)
Where it's running
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Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center at University of Granada (CIMCYCUGR)
Granada, Spain Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Raquel Vilar López, Ph.D. — Universidad de Granada
- Study coordinator: Raquel Vilar López, Ph.D.
- Email: rvilar@ugr.es
- Phone: +34699407282
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.