Evaluation of the effects of a Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Technique on appetite control and the desire to eat in women with Obesity

INTERVENTION: This is a randomized, sham‐controlled, two‐arm, double‐blind clinical trial. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups: the active group (33 participants) and the sham group (32 participants). Blinding was applied to the participants and to the outcome assessors responsible for data collection. The active group received transcranial direct current stimulation at an intensity of 2 mA for 20 minutes per session, with three sessions per day over five consecutive days, separated by 20‐minute intervals, totaling 15 sessions and 60 minutes of stimulation per day. The sham group underwent the same procedures but received sham stimulation. Nutritional education was provided during the first interval between sessions and after the last session, consisting of activities lasting 10 to 15 minutes each, totaling approximately 30 minutes of activities per day. CONDITION: F02.830.071 Obesity ; Appetite PRIMARY OUTCOME: Expected outcome 1: It was expected that transcranial direct current stimulation would reduce appetite and food craving in women with class I and II obesity. Appetite was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale, and food craving was assessed using the Food Craving Questionnaire‐State and Food Craving Questionnaire‐Trait.; ; Observed outcome 1: A reduction in both state and trait food craving was observed only in the active group. Reductions in hunger, desire to eat, and prospective food consumption, as assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale, were observed only in the sham group. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Expected outcome 2: As secondary outcomes, it was expected to evaluate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on food intake (assessed by dietary recall), body weight and body composition (assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis), as well as to investigate the influence of the COMT Val158Met gene polymorphism on the response to stimulation (assessed by genetic blood analysis). ; Observed outcome 2: No significant reduction in body weight or changes in body composition were observed. Due to participant attrition during the study, statistical analysis of the subgroups according to the COMT Val158Met gene polymorphism could not be performed. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Right‐handed women; with grade I and II obesity; aged between 20 and 40 years; and with stable weight over the last 3 months