The potential of neurofeedback in the treatment of eating disorders: a review of the literature

Abstract

Neurofeedback is defined as the training of voluntary regulation of localised neural activity using real-time feedback through a brain-computer interface. It has shown initial success as a potential clinical treatment tool in proof of concept studies, but has yet to be evaluated with respect to eating disorders. This paper (i) provides a brief overview of the current status of eating disorder treatments; (ii) describes the studies to date that use neurofeedback involving electroencephalography, real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging or near-infrared spectroscopy; and (iii) considers the potential of these technologies as treatments for eating disorders.

Keywords: eating disorders; neurofeedback; neuroimaging; real-time; treatment.