Study Protocol: A Six-Session Mindfulness-Based Training to Support Weight Management in Hispanics Post Bariatric Surgery – Lessons Learned From a Pilot Study

Objectives Objective: To evaluate the recruitment, retention, and acceptability of a mindfulness-based group intervention to support weight management in Hispanics after bariatric surgery. Background: Mindfulness-based approaches may support improvement of problematic eating behaviors post- bariatric surgery. Such approaches have been explored with promising results in Non-Hispanic; however their impact on bariatric clients of Hispanic origin has not been investigated. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of a six-session mindfulness-based training for bariatric clients of Hispanic origin. Methods This was an intervention-one group pre/post-test pilot study. Participants were Hispanics (≥ 21 years), who had surgery 12–36 months prior to baseline. Recruitment was over a one-month period, through flyers available in a dietetics practice and through snowball sampling. Interested individuals were screened via telephone. Group training was delivered over six consecutive weeks, participants were asked to complete four questionnaires including: Perceived Stress Questionnaire, Acceptance and Committed Action-II Questionnaire, Intuitive Eating Scale-2, and Short-Form Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire at baseline, week six, and ten. A group exit interview was conducted on week six. Incentives and refreshments were provided at each meeting, training was free of charge. Results For recruitment in the first cohort, 60 people screened, 55 (92%) were eligible and 7 (13%) consented, meeting the recruitment objective of 7–10 participants. Out of the eligible, 42 (76%) were willing but not able at this time. There was 100% participation in all sessions and assessment visits which exceeded the adherence criteria of attendance at 4/6 sessions. Three participants were recruited from flyers, four from snowball sampling. Conclusions This pilot study was feasible; Hispanics were willing to participate, retention and adherence was at a maximum. Multiple sources for recruitment could increase the efficacy of the recruitment. Funding Sources None.