Pilot test of brief instructions to improve the self-management of general food cravings

To provide a preliminary investigation into the impact of brief online acceptance-based vs. control-based techniques to self-manage food cravings in women.

Female participants (N = 151) were randomised to 'acceptance' or 'control' groups. Measures of general food cravings (primary outcome), and depression, anxiety and stress (secondary outcomes) were taken at baseline, two weeks and four weeks.

Linear mixed models showed a significant group × time interaction, with food cravings significantly reduced in the thought-control group compared to the acceptance group over four weeks, along with a reduction in food consumption. Levels of depression, anxiety and stress decreased over the course of the study, but did not differ by group.

These findings provide preliminary support for the acceptability of a minimal technique to self-manage food cravings without deleterious effects, and suggest that simple control-based techniques may be useful in non-clinical, real-world settings.