Currently, the best behavioral treatments for obesity only work for 50% of adults, and of those who initially succeed, most do not maintain their weight loss. One reason for this failure may be due to neurocognitive deficits found among individuals with obesity, particularly related to executive function, which make it difficult for these adults to adhere to treatment recommendations. The proposed study aims to develop a Novel Executive Function Treatment (NEXT), which when administered prior to the behavioral treatment, could help improve outcomes by addressing the neurocognitive deficits in adults with overweight or obesity.
First, to assist with treatment development, two groups of approximately 10 participants will be enrolled in a 12-week open-label treatment group of NEXT. These participants will then provide qualitative feedback to help with treatment development. After the two pilot groups, a randomized control trial will evaluate NEXT compared to standard BWL to assess feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy. Treatment will be 6 months long and assessments will occur at baseline, mid-treatment, post-treatment and 6-months after treatment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
67
All participants will be instructed on how to consume a balanced deficit diet of conventional foods; individual goals for energy intake will be based on initial body weight. Participants will be instructed in measuring portion sizes, counting calories (with a calorie counter provided or on their phone), and self-monitoring food intake. The physical activity program will focus on increasing both lifestyle activity and structured exercise programs. Behavior change recommendations include stimulus control, self-monitoring, goal setting, managing high-risk situations, meal planning, slowing eating, problem solving, social support, cognitive restructuring, lapse and relapse prevention skills, and maintaining weight loss.
Modifies programs like CogSMART and cognitive remediation training to help participants improve executive functioning to adhere to recommendations from BWL.
UCSD Center for Healthy Eating and Activity Research (CHEAR
La Jolla, California, United States
Feasibility as Measured by Attendance
Number of Treatment Sessions Attended
Time frame: Over the course of 6 months of treatment
Acceptability
Ratings of usefulness of treatment
Time frame: At 6 months
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