Interoception and Illness Perception Before and After Bariatric Surgery: Impact on Disordered Eating (Interoceptiv-BAR)

NCT07594275 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: ID 27168 - Interoceptiv-BAR
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 300
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Obesity is associated with alterations in the perception and interpretation of internal bodily signals (interoception), which may influence eating behaviors, emotional regulation, and long-term weight outcomes. Bariatric surgery induces profound physiological and neurohormonal changes that may affect interoceptive awareness and illness perception, potentially impacting the risk of disordered eating behaviors after surgery. This observational study aims to evaluate longitudinal changes in interoceptive awareness and illness perception in adults with severe obesity undergoing bariatric surgery, from the pre-operative phase to long-term follow-up. The study also explores the relationship between these psychological constructs and clinical and behavioral outcomes over time.

Conditions

Obesity

Keywords

Bariatric Surgery; Intetoception

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in interoceptive awareness measured by the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA)

  Change from baseline to 24 months in MAIA subscale scores. The MAIA is a validated 32-item self-report questionnaire assessing interoceptive awareness across 8 dimensions. Each item is rated on a Likert scale, and subscale scores are calculated as the mean of corresponding items. Higher scores indicate greater interoceptive awareness.

  Baseline to 24 months after bariatric surgery

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• Change in illness perception measured by the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised (IPQ-R)

  Baseline to 24 months after bariatric surgery

• Anthropometrics

  Baseline, 12 months, and 24 months after bariatric surgery

• Changes in Depression

  Baseline, 12 months, and 24 months after bariatric surgery

• Changes in Disordered Eating Behaviors

  Baseline, 12 months, and 24 months after bariatric surgery

• Changes in Psychological Functioning

  Baseline, 12 months, and 24 months after bariatric surgery

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of adults with severe or morbid obesity undergoing pre-operative multidisciplinary evaluation for bariatric surgery at a tertiary referral center. Participants are assessed before surgery and during post-surgical follow-up as part of routine clinical care.

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18 years or older.
• Diagnosis of severe or morbid obesity (body mass index ≥35 kg/m² with obesity-related comorbidities or ≥40 kg/m²).
• Undergoing multidisciplinary evaluation with indication for bariatric surgery.
• Ability to provide informed consent and complete self-administered questionnaires.

You may not qualify if:

• Age younger than 18 years.
• Presence of neurological disorders associated with cognitive impairment that may interfere with questionnaire completion.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding at the time of enrollment.
• Inability to complete study assessments due to language barriers or other conditions limiting participation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS: lead

Study Sites (1)

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS

Rome, Lazio, 00168, Italy

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Obesity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Overweight; Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Maria Rosaria Magurano

  Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Maria Rosaria Magurano, PC

CONTACT

+393663940248; mariarosaria.magurano@policlinicogemelli.it

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 7, 2026
• First Posted: May 18, 2026
• Study Start: May 30, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 30, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 30, 2028
• Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations

IT (1)