Incretin-Based Treatment for Obesity

(HARMONY Trial)

ML
EM
Overseen ByElisa Marin-Couture, Kin, PhD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Laval University
Must be taking: Incretin-based therapy

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether combining a six-month structured lifestyle intervention (physical activity and nutrition) with incretin-based weight-loss medication improves preservation of muscle mass and physical function in adults living with obesity, compared with medication alone, and to assess the feasibility of a collaborative hospital-community care model.

This one-year pilot study will recruit 120 adults aged 18-70 years with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m² or ≥27 kg/m² with at least one comorbidity) receiving routine obesity care at the Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval. All participants will initiate physician-prescribed incretin-based therapy as part of standard care. The intervention group will receive medication plus a six-month structured lifestyle program delivered in collaboration with an exercise facility, including supervised strength-focused exercise and bi-monthly nutrition counseling, followed by a six-month consolidation phase. The control group will receive medication alone. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the medication-only group or the combined medication and lifestyle intervention group. Participants randomized in the medication only group will receive a personalized consult with both a registered dietician and kinesiologist at the end of the study.

Who Is on the Research Team?

AM

Andréanne Michaud, DtP, PhD

Principal Investigator

Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, University Laval

FL

Fannie Lajeunesse-Trempe, MD PhD FRCPC

Principal Investigator

Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, University Laval

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 18-70 with obesity, defined as a BMI ≥30 kg/m² or ≥27 kg/m² with at least one comorbidity. Participants must be receiving routine obesity care and will start incretin-based therapy prescribed by their physician.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 70 years old.
I am prescribed incretin-based medication for obesity but haven't started it yet.
My BMI is over 27 and I have conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
See 1 more

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have any health conditions that prevent me from being physically active.
Pregnancy, current breastfeeding or planned pregnancy during the study period
Implemented medical devices (e.g. pacemaker, defibrillator)
See 2 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive incretin-based pharmacotherapy, with the intervention group also undergoing a six-month structured lifestyle program including exercise and nutrition counseling

6 months
Bi-monthly visits for nutrition counseling and weekly group exercise sessions

Consolidation

Participants in the intervention group continue with a consolidation phase after the initial treatment period

6 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with assessments at 3, 6, and 12 months

12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Incretin-Based Treatment

Trial Overview

The study tests if adding a structured lifestyle program (exercise and nutrition) to incretin-based medication improves muscle mass and physical function in obese adults more than medication alone. It also examines the success of combining hospital-community healthcare.

How Is the Trial Designed?

2

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Placebo Group

Group I: Incretin-based pharmacotherapy combined with a 6-month lifestyle interventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Medication alonePlacebo Group1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Laval University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
439
Recruited
178,000+

Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, University Laval

Collaborator

Trials
26
Recruited
6,300+