Comparison of the Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Transcranial Direct Current Brain Stimulation (tDCS) Therapy and Combined Therapy on Perceived Stress and Food Craving in Women with Binge Eating

The purpose of this study was to comparing the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, transcranial direct current brain stimulation therapy and combined therapy on perceived stress and food craving in women with binge eating. This semi-experimental study was conducted with a pretest-posttest design with control group and follow-up 2 month. The statistical population was all women with binge eating who referred to nutrition centers in the spring of 2023 in city of Karaj. In the first stage, using Judgmental sampling method, 60 women were selected and then randomly divided into 3 experimental groups (each group 15 women) and one control group (15 women) were replaced and experimental groups underwent eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, transcranial direct current brain stimulation therapy and combined therap, but the control group received no training and remained in the waiting list. To collect data binge eating scale (BES) of Gormally and et al (1982), perceived stress scale (PSC) of Cohen et al (1983) and trait food-cravings questionnaires (FCQ-T) of Cepeda-Benito and et al (2000). Data analysis was performed using SPSS-28 software in two sections: descriptive and inferential (analysis of variance with repeated measures and Bonferroni). The results showed that three interventions in post-test and follow up had a significant effect on perceived stress and food craving (P<0.05).  In addition, the results of Bonferroni post hoc test showed that combined therapy is more effective in perceived stress and food craving (P<0.05). Based on the results of the present study, it can be said that eye movement desensitization and reprocessing and transcranial direct current brain stimulation therapy and can be used as a treatment method to on perceived stress and food craving in counseling centers and priority of use in the treatment of in women with binge eating is with combined therapy.