Preferred versus Nonpreferred Treatment, and Self-Control Training versus Determination Raising as Treatments of Obesity: A Pilot Study

1976 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 191-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Murray

Of 12 overweight women half received 10 wk. of self-control training and the rest received an equal period aimed at increasing determination to lose weight. Half of each treatment group had expressed a preference for the type of treatment they received and half for the other type of treatment. Both groups lost a statistically significant amount of weight, and at a 3-mo. follow-up there was still a significant weight loss. Follow-up at 6 mo. on 9 of the 12 original subjects indicated both groups regained much of their lost weight. There was no evidence that either type of treatment or receiving one's preferred type of treatment was related to weight loss.

BMC Surgery ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Woźniewska ◽  
Inna Diemieszczyk ◽  
Dawid Groth ◽  
Łukasz Szczerbiński ◽  
Barbara Choromańska ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The incidence of obesity has been constantly growing and bariatric procedures are considered to be the most effective treatment solution for morbidly obese patients. The results of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) may differ depending on patient’s age, gender, preoperative body mass index (BMI) and physical activity. Methods The aim of this study was to evaluate age-related differences in the outcome of LSG in terms of weight loss parameters, lipid and carbohydrate profile. The retrospective analysis of 555 patients who had undergone LSG was performed to compare the metabolic outcomes of surgery in individuals < 45 and ≥ 45 years old. Evaluation of weight loss parameters along with selected laboratory data was performed to demonstrate the results of LSG in 2 years follow-up. Results Overall, 238 males and 317 females (43%/57%) with median age of 43 years and median preoperative BMI of 46.41 (42.06–51.02) kg/m2 were analyzed. Patients in both groups presented significant weight loss at 24 months after the surgery with comparable percentage of total weight loss (40.95% in < 45 years old group and 40.44% in ≥ 45 years old group). The percentage of excess weight loss (78.52% vs. 74.53%) and percentage of excess BMI loss (91.95% vs. 88.01%) were higher in patients < 45 years old. However, the differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.662, p = 0.788 respectively). Patients under 45 years old experienced faster decrease in fasting glucose level that was observed after only 3 months (109 mg/dl to 95 mg/dl in < 45 years old group vs. 103.5 mg/dl to 99.5 mg/dl in ≥ 45 years old group, p < 0.001). Both groups presented improvement of lipid parameters during the observation. However, patients < 45 years old achieved lower values of LDL at 3 and 12 months follow-up (115 mg/dl vs. 126 mg/dl, p = 0.010; 114.8 mg/dl vs. 122 mg/dl, p = 0.002). Younger group of patients also showed superior improvement of triglycerides level. Conclusions LSG results in significant weight loss in all patients regardless age. In turn, superior and faster improvement in lipid and carbohydrate profile is achieved in patients under 45 years old.


2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela Pfundmair ◽  
Eva Lermer ◽  
Dieter Frey

Abstract. People low in self-control have a strong proclivity toward risk-taking. Risk-taking behavior provides an opportunity to obtain some form of reward. Glucose, on the other hand, seems to facilitate reward and goal-directed behavior. In a pilot study executed in the laboratory, we investigated whether consuming a glucose drink would increase risky behavior and attitudes in people low in self-control. Our findings revealed that a dose of glucose compared to placebo increased risk-taking on a behavioral and cognitive level in participants low in self-control but not in participants high in self-control. The findings may shed some light on the psychological underpinnings of glucose: By showing glucose’s association with high-risk behavior, they support the assumption of glucose driving a goal-directed motivation.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric P Green ◽  
Arun Augustine ◽  
Violet Naanyu ◽  
Anna-Karin Hess ◽  
Lulla Kiwinda

BACKGROUND Family planning is an effective tool for preventing death among women who do not want to become pregnant and has been shown to improve newborn health outcomes, advance women’s empowerment, and bring socioeconomic benefits through reductions in fertility and population growth. Yet among the populations that would benefit the most from family planning, uptake remains too low. The emergence of digital health tools has created new opportunities to strengthen health systems and promote behavior change. In this study, women with an unmet need for family planning in Western Kenya were randomized to receive an encouragement to try an automated investigational digital health intervention that promoted the uptake of family planning. OBJECTIVE The objectives of the pilot study were to explore the feasibility of a full-scale trial—in particular, the recruitment, encouragement, and follow-up data collection procedures—and to examine the preliminary effect of the intervention on contraception uptake. METHODS This pilot study tested the procedures for a randomized encouragement trial. We recruited 112 women with an unmet need for family planning from local markets in Western Kenya, conducted an eligibility screening, and randomized half of the women to receive an encouragement to try the investigational intervention. Four months after encouraging the treatment group, we conducted a follow-up survey with enrolled participants via short message service (SMS) text message. RESULTS The encouragement sent via SMS text messages to the treatment group led to differential rates of intervention uptake between the treatment and control groups; however, uptake by the treatment group was lower than anticipated (19/56, 33.9% vs 1/56, 1.8%, in the control group). Study attrition was also substantial. We obtained follow-up data from 44.6% (50/112) of enrolled participants. Among those in the treatment group who tried the intervention, the instrumental variables estimate of the local average treatment effect was an increase in the probability of contraceptive uptake of 41.0 percentage points (95% uncertainty interval −0.03 to 0.85). CONCLUSIONS This randomized encouragement design and study protocol is feasible but requires modifications to the recruitment, encouragement, and follow-up data collection procedures. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03224390; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03224390 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/70yitdJu8)


1995 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tammie Ronen ◽  
Giora Rahav ◽  
Yochanan Wozner

This paper presents the link between self-control and childhood enuresis, assuming that enuresis is maintained by deficiencies in self-control skills, whether caused by physiological, behavioral, or cognitive components. Acquisition of self-control skills is proposed as helping in eliminating enuresis. Seventy-seven enuretic children (aged 7 to 14) were randomly assigned to three treatment modes (bell and pad, token economy, and cognitive therapy) and to one control group. The self-control skills of children and their parents and the frequency of enuresis were measured before and after treatment. Results showed a negative correlation between self-control and enuresis on the one hand and between the acquisition of self-control skills and recovery from enuresis on the other hand. The results also highlighted the need for a follow-up period to determine the different longer-term effects of treatments.


Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nachum Sicherman ◽  
George Loewenstein ◽  
Teresa Tavassoli ◽  
Joseph D Buxbaum

This pilot study estimates the effects of family structure on age of diagnosis, with the goal of identifying factors that may accelerate or delay diagnosis. We conducted an online survey with 477 parents of children with autism. In addition, we carried out novel, follow-up surveys of 196 “friends and family,” who were referred by parents. Family structure and frequency of interactions with family members have significant effects on age of diagnosis (p < 0.05). In all, 25% of parents report that other individuals indicated that their child might have a serious condition before they themselves suspected it. Moreover, around 50% of friends and family report that they suspected that the child had a serious condition before they were aware that either parent was concerned, suggesting that the clues were there to see, especially for experienced viewers. While half of those individuals shared their concerns with the parents, the other half either did not raise any concern (23%) or just “hinted” at their concern (27%). Among children with siblings, children with an older sibling are diagnosed approximately 10 months earlier (p < 0.01) than those without, and children with no siblings were diagnosed 6–8 months earlier than children with siblings (p < 0.01). Interestingly, frequent interactions with grandparents, especially grandmothers, significantly lowered the age of diagnosis by as much as 5 months (p < 0.05). While this pilot study requires replication, the results identify potential causes for accelerated or delayed diagnosis, which if better understood, could ultimately improve age of diagnosis and treatment, and hence outcomes.


2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marius K. Nickel ◽  
Thomas H. Loew

AbstractObjectiveWe previously tested topiramate, an anticonvulsant, in the treatment of aggression in men with borderline personality disorder (BPD) (Nickel M, Nickel C, Kaplan P, Lahmann C, Mühlbacher M, Tritt K, et al. Treatment of aggression with topiramate in male borderline patients: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Biol Psychiatry 2005;57:495–9), and found significant changes on most scales of the state–trait anger expression inventory (STAXI) and significant weight loss eight weeks later. The aim of this trial was to assess topiramate's efficacy in the long-term therapy for aggression in men with BPD.MethodsThis 18-month follow-up observation, in which the previous patients (topiramate group: n = 22; former placebo group: n = 22) were examined bianually, was carried out.ResultsAccording to the intent-to-treat principle, significant changes on all scales of the STAXI were observed in the subjects treated with topiramate. Additional significant weight loss was observed. All subjects tolerated topiramate relatively well.ConclusionsTopiramate appears to be an effective, relatively safe agent in the long-term treatment of patients with BPD. Mild, non-transient weight loss can be expected.


Endoscopy ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 40 (05) ◽  
pp. 406-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Moreno ◽  
J. Closset ◽  
S. Dugardeyn ◽  
M. Baréa ◽  
A. Mehdi ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marily Oppezzo ◽  
Jennifer Tremmel ◽  
Manisha Desai ◽  
Michael Baiocchi ◽  
Danielle Ramo ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Prolonged sitting is an independent risk behavior for the development of chronic disease. With most interventions focusing on physical activity and exercise, there is a separate need for investigation into innovative and accessible interventions to decrease sedentary behavior throughout the day. Twitter is a social media platform with application for health communications and fostering of social support for health behavior change. OBJECTIVE This pilot study aims to test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of delivering daily behavior change strategies within private Twitter groups to foster peer-to-peer support and decrease sedentary behavior throughout the day in women. The Twitter group was combined with a Fitbit for self-monitoring activity and compared to a Fitbit-only control group. METHODS In a 2-group design, participants were randomized to a Twitter + Fitbit treatment group or a Fitbit-only control group. Participants were recruited via the Stanford Research Repository System, screened for eligibility, and then invited to an orientation session. After providing informed consent, they were randomized. All participants received 13 weeks of tailored weekly step goals and a Fitbit. The treatment group participants, placed in a private Twitter support group, received daily automated behavior change “tweets” informed by theory and regular automated encouragement via text to communicate with the group. Fitbit data were collected daily throughout the treatment and follow-up period. Web-based surveys and accelerometer data were collected at baseline, treatment end (13 weeks), and at 8.5 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS The initial study design funding was obtained from the Women’s Heart Clinic and the Stanford Clayman Institute. Funding to run this pilot study was received from the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute under Award Number K01HL136702. All procedures were approved by Stanford University’s Institutional Review Board, #32127 in 2018, prior to beginning data collection. Recruitment for this study was conducted in May 2019. Of the 858 people screened, 113 met the eligibility criteria, 68 came to an information session, and 45 consented to participate in this pilot study. One participant dropped out of the intervention, and complete follow-up data were obtained from 39 of the 45 participants (87% of the sample). Data were collected over 6 months from June to December 2019. Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy results are being analyzed and will be reported in the winter of 2021. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study is assessing the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of delivering behavior change strategies in a Twitter social support group to decrease sedentary behavior in women. These findings will inform a larger evaluation. With an accessible, tailorable, and flexible platform, Twitter-delivered interventions offer potential for many treatment variations and titrations, thereby testing the effects of different behavior change strategies, peer-group makeups, and health behaviors of interest. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02958189, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02958189 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/20926


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