Non-invasive brain stimulation interventions for treating Clinical and Sub-clinical eating disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized studies

Abstract

This meta-analysis examined the effects of noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) for treating eating disorders (EDs), evaluating the difference between repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). We identified 15 studies on EDs, including 9 RCTs (266 participants) and 6 one-arm trials (59 participants). The pooled effect sizes indicated that NIBS plays a positive role in improving the eating symptoms of ED patients. Although its long-term effects need to be further explored, this treatment has the potential to be an important supplement to conventional ED therapy.