Positive Psychology for Post-Bariatric Surgery Patients

Overseen By Heidi Hansen, BS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Larissa McGarrity, Ph.D.

Disqualifiers: Both had bariatric surgery, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

80 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems to focus on a psychological intervention, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required, but you should confirm with the trial organizers.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment ReConnect for post-bariatric surgery patients?

Research suggests that psychological care is important for success after bariatric surgery, as it helps patients adjust to lifestyle changes and maintain healthy habits. Patients believe psychological support should be part of standard care, indicating that treatments like ReConnect could be beneficial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the ReConnect treatment different from other treatments for post-bariatric surgery patients?

ReConnect is unique because it focuses on positive psychology to help patients adjust emotionally and socially after bariatric surgery, addressing issues like body image dissatisfaction and emotional stress, which are often overlooked in traditional follow-up care. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this waitlist-control design, pilot randomized controlled trial is to test feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a remotely-delivered dyadic positive psychology intervention for patients 2 years after bariatric surgery and their romantic partners (called ReConnect). The main question it aims to answer is whether the intervention results in improvements in depressive symptoms for patients and partners. The additional questions it aims to answer are whether the intervention results in improvements in resilience, relationship satisfaction, eating and physical activity behaviors, and weight maintenance for those in the intervention versus waitlist control condition. Participant couples randomly assigned to the intervention condition will engage in ReConnect for 8 weekly modules and associated positive psychology activities, some individually and some as a couple. Participant couples randomly assigned to the waitlist control condition will wait for 8 weeks to begin the 8 week intervention. All participants will fill out assessment measures at baseline, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks.

Research Team

Larissa McGarrity, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Utah Craig Neilsen H. Rehabilitation Hospital

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adult couples where one partner had bariatric surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy) 1-3 years ago at the participating institution. They must be cohabiting, in a romantic relationship since before the surgery, and both willing to enroll in the study.

Inclusion Criteria

My partner or I had weight loss surgery at a participating hospital.

I have been with the same romantic partner since before my weight loss surgery.

I had weight loss surgery 1 to 3 years ago at a participating hospital.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants engage in the ReConnect intervention for 8 weekly modules, involving positive psychology activities both individually and as a couple

8 weeks

Remote sessions

Waitlist Control

Participants in the waitlist control condition wait for 8 weeks before starting the intervention

8 weeks

Remote check-ins

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in depressive symptoms, resilience, relationship satisfaction, eating behaviors, and weight maintenance

8 weeks

3 assessments at baseline, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Reimagining Us in the Context of Bariatric Surgery (ReConnect)

Trial Overview The trial tests 'ReConnect', a remote positive psychology program designed for post-bariatric surgery patients and their partners. It checks if this 8-week intervention can improve depression, resilience, satisfaction in relationships, healthy behaviors, and weight maintenance compared to those on a waitlist.

Participant Groups

Group I: Waitlist Control Condition Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive 8 weeks of check-in surveys/follow-ups followed by 8 weeks of ReConnect, as well as 3 assessments (baseline, 8 weeks, 16 weeks).

Group II: Intervention Condition Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive 8 weeks of ReConnect followed by 8 weeks check-in surveys/follow-ups, as well as 3 assessments (baseline, 8 weeks, 16 weeks).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Larissa McGarrity, Ph.D.

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

80+

Findings from Research

The study involving 11 patients and 11 healthcare practitioners revealed that the patient-practitioner relationship post-bariatric surgery is crucial for effective rehabilitation, but often lacks open dialogue about the emotional challenges faced by patients.

By fostering better interpersonal connections and addressing psychosocial issues, healthcare practitioners can enhance patient engagement and improve outcomes in post-surgery care, leading to better self-care and health management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The patient-practitioner interaction in post bariatric surgery consultations: an interpersonal process recall study. Natvik, E., Lavik, KO., Ogden, J., et al.[2023]

Patients who underwent bariatric surgery reported feelings of 'abandonment' and 'isolation' regarding their follow-up care, indicating a significant gap in support for their psychological and social well-being post-surgery.

The study emphasizes the need for more flexible and holistic follow-up care that includes addressing long-term social and psychological challenges, as well as integrating peer support to improve patient experiences after surgery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patients' experiences of life after bariatric surgery and follow-up care: a qualitative study. Coulman, KD., MacKichan, F., Blazeby, JM., et al.[2021]

Bariatric surgery can lead to sustainable weight loss and improved quality of life, but patients often experience ongoing tension and ambivalence regarding their body image and health habits long after the procedure.

Emotional challenges, such as stress and shame related to weight regain, highlight the need for continued support and management of health-related behaviors post-surgery, as physical changes do not guarantee lasting changes in lifestyle.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Totally changed, yet still the same: patients' lived experiences 5 years beyond bariatric surgery. Natvik, E., Gjengedal, E., Råheim, M.[2013]

Patients who underwent bariatric surgery believe that psychological care is crucial for their treatment success, particularly in adjusting to lifestyle changes, self-identity, and relationships post-surgery.

Participants expressed a desire for psychological aftercare to be recommended by their medical team and integrated into standard post-operative management, highlighting the need for supportive services in this context.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient perspectives on psychological care after bariatric surgery: A qualitative study. Chan, JKY., King, M., Vartanian, LR.[2021]

Patients in an online bariatric support group positively viewed their post-surgery lack of appetite, but also expressed concern about it, indicating a complex relationship with their eating habits after surgery.

Monitoring food intake and discussing weight stabilization were key social support mechanisms within the group, suggesting that weight management is influenced by social practices rather than being solely an individual responsibility.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Monitoring and normalising a lack of appetite and weight loss. A discursive analysis of an online support group for bariatric surgery. Cranwell, J., Seymour-Smith, S.[2012]

Bariatric surgery can lead to significant psychosocial challenges, as many patients (up to 74%) still experience body image distortion or dissatisfaction even after weight loss, highlighting the need for comprehensive post-operative support.

The study identified four key themes in patients' experiences post-surgery: shopping for a new body, relationship transitions, focus on the new body, and the struggle with their previous identity, suggesting that psychological adjustment is crucial for successful long-term outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

'Shopping for a new body': descriptions of bariatric post-operative adjustment. Perdue, TO., Neil, JA.[2021]

An eight-week cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) group for 17 post-operative bariatric surgery patients led to significant improvements in psychological distress and weight-related adjustment, with benefits maintained at a 3-month follow-up.

Patients reported good attendance and satisfaction with the CBT group, indicating that this intervention is acceptable and potentially beneficial for enhancing psychological wellbeing after surgery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of a CBT psychotherapy group on post-operative bariatric patients. Beaulac, J., Sandre, D.[2020]

Weight regain after bariatric surgery leads to feelings of defeat and failure among women, contributing to social isolation, despite their overall gratitude for the surgery.

The study highlights the importance of understanding the psychological factors influencing weight regain, suggesting that healthcare teams need more qualitative research to address these issues effectively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Weight regain among women after metabolic and bariatric surgery: a qualitative study in Brazil. Carvalho, Ad., Turato, ER., Chaim, EA., et al.[2018]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The patient-practitioner interaction in post bariatric surgery consultations: an interpersonal process recall study. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patients' experiences of life after bariatric surgery and follow-up care: a qualitative study. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Totally changed, yet still the same: patients' lived experiences 5 years beyond bariatric surgery. [2013]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient perspectives on psychological care after bariatric surgery: A qualitative study. [2021]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Monitoring and normalising a lack of appetite and weight loss. A discursive analysis of an online support group for bariatric surgery. [2012]

6. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

'Shopping for a new body': descriptions of bariatric post-operative adjustment. [2021]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of a CBT psychotherapy group on post-operative bariatric patients. [2020]

8. Brazil pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Weight regain among women after metabolic and bariatric surgery: a qualitative study in Brazil. [2018]