Tailored Weight Management Program for Veterans with PTSD

Overseen By Nadiyah Sulayman, BA

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Disqualifiers: Substance use, Dementia, Bariatric surgery, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 16

Duration: 6 months

174 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new weight loss program, MOVE!+UP, for Veterans with PTSD who are overweight. The program combines weight loss support with therapy to address PTSD-related challenges. It aims to improve both weight and PTSD symptoms. MOVE!+UP is a tailored weight management program developed to address the unique barriers faced by veterans with PTSD, combining weight loss education with cognitive behavior therapy skills.

Research Team

Katherine D Hoerster, PhD MPH BA

Principal Investigator

VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division, Seattle, WA

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Veterans with PTSD who are overweight or obese, have experienced trauma, and score at least 33 on the PCL-5. They must be enrolled in PTSD treatment, approved by a physician to participate, and not planning bariatric surgery soon. Excluded are those with severe hearing loss, no phone access, current MOVE! participation or pregnancy.

Inclusion Criteria

My weight is over 440 lbs.

I have a moderate to severe long-term brain condition like dementia.

I have had or plan to have weight loss surgery within 18 months.

Exclusion Criteria

Current MOVE! participation

Current pregnancy

Not fluent in English, severe hearing loss, no phone access

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the MOVE!+UP program, which includes 16 group sessions with weight loss support and Cognitive Behavior Therapy skills, along with community walks and dietician visits.

6 months

16 group sessions, 2 individual dietician visits, counseling calls as needed

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for weight loss and PTSD symptom reduction after the treatment phase.

6 months

Long-term Follow-up

Participants are assessed for long-term weight loss and PTSD symptom severity.

12 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• MOVE!
• MOVE!+UP

Trial Overview The study tests a tailored weight management program called MOVE!+UP against the standard VA care program MOVE!. It aims to see if addressing PTSD-related barriers within the weight management program can improve both weight and PTSD symptoms more effectively than standard care.

Participant Groups

Group I: MOVE!+UP (intervention) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

usual care enhanced with MOVE!+UP (intervention)

Group II: MOVE! (control condition) Active Control 1 Intervention

usual care enhanced with MOVE! (control condition)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,691

Recruited

3,759,000+