NCT04514900

Brief Summary

The current pilot study will explore the optimal cost-effective treatment configuration for online group-based weight control by focusing on two aspects of our existing treatment program which have significant associated cost and determine which contribute meaningfully to weight loss outcomes. Specifically, we will explore whether adding synchronous group social support (weekly group video chat sessions facilitated by a trained weight loss counselor) to on demand (asynchronous) social support provided through the program discussion board significantly increases weight losses achieved. We will also examine whether detailed feedback on dietary and physical activity self-monitoring records from a counselor enhances weight loss outcomes in comparison with basic feedback. Finally, we will examine the cost efficiency of the treatment constellations. Further, this pilot study will also explore the feasibility of recruiting participants nationally (rather than just locally) and the capture of data electronically (including body weight measurements) without any in-person contact.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
73

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable obesity

Timeline
Completed

Started Sep 2020

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable obesity

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 20, 2020

Completed
28 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 17, 2020

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 23, 2020

Completed
6 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

March 8, 2021

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

March 8, 2021

Completed
Last Updated

April 30, 2021

Status Verified

April 1, 2021

Enrollment Period

6 months

First QC Date

July 20, 2020

Last Update Submit

April 27, 2021

Conditions

Keywords

weight loss

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Weight loss

    Change in body weight from baseline calculated as kg lost

    Baseline, 2 and 4 months

  • Change in body weight from baseline calculated as % of body weight lost

    1 - \[follow-up body weight/ baseline body weight\] = % body weight change

    2 and 4 months

Secondary Outcomes (4)

  • Treatment Engagement: daily weighing

    Weeks 1 to 16

  • Treatment Engagement: weekly food journal submissions

    Weeks 1 to 16

  • Treatment Engagement: completion of the 16 weekly interactive online modules

    Weeks 1 to 16

  • Treatment Engagement: Attendance at Video Chat condition

    Weeks 1 to 16

Other Outcomes (6)

  • Supportive Accountability

    2 months and 4 months

  • Social Support

    baseline, 2 months and 4 months

  • Cost-Effectiveness Analyses

    Weeks 1 to 16

  • +3 more other outcomes

Study Arms (4)

Video Chat +Personalized Feedback

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants meet as a group in weekly online video chats facilitated by an experienced behavioral weight control counselor. Participants have access to a website containing interactive weekly modules pertaining to weight loss skills as well as a discussion board where they may interact with other participants in addition to class meetings. They are asked to self-monitor food and beverage intake in a digital food diary (on a smartphone app) and will receive weekly detailed, personalized feedback on self-monitoring. Participants will be asked to weigh daily on a digital scale, which will be provided.

Behavioral: Video Chat +Personalized Feedback

Video Chat + Basic Feedback

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants meet as a group in weekly online video chats facilitated by an experienced behavioral weight control counselor. Participants have access to a website containing interactive weekly modules pertaining to weight loss skills as well as a discussion board where they may interact with other participants in addition to class meetings. They are asked to self-monitor food and beverage intake in a digital food diary (on a smartphone app) and will receive basic feedback weekly on self-monitoring. Participants will be asked to weigh daily on a digital scale, which will be provided.

Behavioral: Video Chat + Basic Feedback

Discussion Board for Social Support + Basic Feedback

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will access a website containing 16 interactive weekly modules pertaining to weight loss skills, as well as a discussion board on which they are encouraged through prompts and posts to interact with other participants for social support. They are asked to self-monitor food and beverage intake in a digital food diary (on a smartphone app) and will receive weekly basic feedback on self-monitoring. Participants will be asked to weigh daily on a digital scale, which will be provided.

Behavioral: Discussion Board for Social Support +Basic Feedback

Discussion Board for Social Support+Personalized Feedback

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will access a website containing 16 interactive weekly modules pertaining to weight loss skills, as well as a discussion board on which they are encouraged through prompts and posts to interact with other participants for social support. They are asked to self-monitor food and beverage intake in a digital food diary (on a smartphone app) and will receive weekly detailed, personalized feedback on self-monitoring from a trained interventionist. Participants will be asked to weigh daily on a digital scale, which will be provided.

Behavioral: Discussion Board for Social Support+Personalized Feedback

Interventions

Participants will receive an online 16-session, goal-driven behavioral weight control program via video chat and weekly interactive modules. The modules provide evidence-based health education on caloric balance, with a goal of fostering changes in diet and exercise habits and producing weight losses of 5-10%. Participants are provided with an electronic scale that will transmit weights wirelessly to a secure study website. A group facilitator will monitor digital food diaries and provide detailed weekly feedback on diet and exercise.

Video Chat +Personalized Feedback

Participants will receive an online 16-session, goal-driven behavioral weight control program via video chat and weekly interactive modules. The modules provide evidence-based health education on caloric balance, with a goal of fostering changes in diet and exercise habits and producing weight losses of 5-10%. Participants are provided with an electronic scale that will transmit weights wirelessly to a secure study website. A group facilitator will monitor digital food diaries and provide basic weekly feedback on diet and exercise.

Video Chat + Basic Feedback

Participants will receive an online 16-session, goal-driven behavioral weight control program via weekly interactive modules. The modules provide evidence-based health education on caloric balance, with a goal of fostering changes in diet and exercise habits and producing weight losses of 5-10%. They also are provided with a study discussion board for social support from fellow participants. Participants are provided with an electronic scale that will transmit weights wirelessly to a secure study website. A weight loss counselor will monitor digital food diaries and provide basic weekly feedback on diet and exercise.

Discussion Board for Social Support + Basic Feedback

Participants will receive an online 16-session, goal-driven behavioral weight control program via weekly interactive modules. The modules provide evidence-based health education on caloric balance, with a goal of fostering changes in diet and exercise habits and producing weight losses of 5-10%. They also are provided with a study discussion board for social support from fellow participants. Participants are provided with an electronic scale that will transmit weights wirelessly to a secure study website. A weight loss counselor will monitor digital food diaries and provide personalized, detailed weekly feedback on diet and exercise.

Discussion Board for Social Support+Personalized Feedback

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • BMI between 27-55 kg/m2
  • free of medical problems that might contraindicate participation in a behavioral weight reduction program containing an exercise component
  • must have a computer at home or work with video camera and access to the internet
  • must have a smart phone
  • only one member of a household may participate
  • must successfully complete a self-monitoring diary of food and beverages consumed for 7 consecutive days
  • must successfully set up the electronic scale (provided by the study at no cost) and transmit a body weight to study staff
  • must agree to be randomized to any of the 4 groups
  • must be willing to share access to their dietary and physical activity self-monitoring information collected via the Fitbit.com app/website and their weight data collected via linking the electronic smart scale with Fitbit.com

You may not qualify if:

  • taking insulin
  • currently on medication that might affect weight loss
  • currently pregnant or pregnant in the previous 6 months
  • currently breastfeeding
  • enrolled in another weight reduction program
  • have had a heart attack or stroke in the past 6 months
  • ever had weight loss surgery
  • have lost more than 10 pounds in the previous 6 months
  • currently taking medications for weight loss
  • required by their doctor to follow a special diet (other than a low fat diet)
  • anyone who has a schedule that would make it difficult to attend scheduled "chat" groups, should they be randomized to receive that treatment component

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University of South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina, 29208, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

ObesityWeight Loss

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

OverweightOvernutritionNutrition DisordersNutritional and Metabolic DiseasesBody WeightSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsBody Weight Changes

Study Officials

  • Delia West, PhD

    University of South Carolina

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
FACTORIAL
Model Details: A 2x2 randomized controlled pilot study will be conducted which randomly allocates 73 individuals with overweight or obesity to an online weight control program and varies whether they receive asynchronous social support (discussion board) vs synchronous plus asynchronous social support (weekly video chat + discussion board) and varies whether the type of feedback which they receive on their self-monitoring (detailed vs basic) in a factorial study. All participants will receive the core 16-week online interactive behavioral weight loss program (iREACH) and will be followed for 4 months with monthly surveys and weight ascertainment.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor, Exercise Science

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 20, 2020

First Posted

August 17, 2020

Study Start

September 23, 2020

Primary Completion

March 8, 2021

Study Completion

March 8, 2021

Last Updated

April 30, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-04

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations