Randomized trial of tapas acupressure technique for weight loss maintenance

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obesity is an urgent public health problem, yet only a few clinical trials have systematically tested the efficacy of long-term weight-loss maintenance interventions. This randomized clinical trial tested the efficacy of a novel mind and body technique for weight-loss maintenance.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Participants were obese adults who had completed a six-month behavioral weight-loss program prior to randomization. Those who successfully lost weight were randomized into either an experimental weight-loss maintenance intervention, Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT^®), or a control intervention comprised of social-support group meetings (SS) led by professional facilitators. TAT combines self-applied light pressure to specific acupressure points accompanied by a prescribed sequence of mental steps. Participants in both maintenance conditions attended eight group sessions over six months of active weight loss maintenance intervention, followed by an additional 6 months of no intervention. The main outcome measure was change in weight from the beginning of the weight loss maintenance intervention to 12 months later. Secondary outcomes were change in depression, stress, insomnia, and quality of life. We used analysis of covariance as the primary analysis method. Missing values were replaced using multiple imputation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among 285 randomized participants, 79% were female, mean age was 56 (standard deviation (sd) = 11), mean BMI at randomization was 34 (sd = 5), and mean initial weight loss was 9.8 kg (sd = 5). In the primary outcome model, there was no significant difference in weight regain between the two arms (1.72 kg (se 0.85) weight regain for TAT and 2.96 kg (se 0.96) weight regain for SS, p < 0.097) Tests of between- arm differences for secondary outcomes were also not significant. A secondary analysis showed a significant interaction between treatment and initial weight loss (p < .036), with exploratory <it>post hoc </it>tests showing that greater initial weight loss was associated with more weight regain for SS but less weight regain for TAT.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The primary analysis showed no significant difference in weight regain between TAT and SS, while secondary and post hoc analyses indicate direction for future research.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00526565">NCT00526565</a></p

Weight loss history as a predictor of weight loss: results from Phase I of the weight loss maintenance trial

Past studies have suggested that weight loss history is associated with subsequent weight loss. However, questions remain whether method and amount of weight lost in previous attempts impacts current weight loss efforts. This study utilized data from the Weight Loss Maintenance Trial to examine the association between weight loss history and weight loss outcomes in a diverse sample of high-risk individuals. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to determine which specific aspects of weight loss history predict change in weight during a 6-month weight loss intervention. Greater weight loss was predicted by fewer previous weight loss attempts with assistance (p = 0.03), absence of previous dietary/herbal weight loss supplement use (p = 0.01), and greater maximum weight loss in previous attempts (p <0.001). Future interventions may benefit from assessment of weight loss history and tailoring of interventions based on past weight loss behaviors and outcomes

Weight Loss During the Intensive Intervention Phase of the Weight-Loss Maintenance Trial

To improve methods for long-term weight management, the Weight Loss Maintenance (WLM) trial, a four-center randomized trial, was conducted to compare alternative strategies for maintaining weight loss over a 30-month period. This paper describes methods and results for the initial 6-month weight-loss program (Phase I)

Effect of Conditioned Reinformce Type on Acquisition of Targeting Behavior in Canis familiaris : Clicking versus Vocalizing.

Color poster with text, images, and graphs (Spring 2009)In the 20th century B.F. Skinner converted haphazard animal training into a scientifically based process called operant conditioning. Skinner also discovered that delivering a reinforcer to animals at the exact moment a desired behavior was performed was critical. To solve the problem created by delays in delivery of reinforcers Skinner proposed using a stimulus that could be ?conditioned? as a reinforcer (CR) to signal to an animal that a food reinforcer was coming. The current study tested the hypothesis that dogs will learn faster when a ?Click? CR is used than when a verbal word, ?Good?, CR is used in training dogs to touch and follow a target.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

Behavioral applications regarding canines.

Color poster with text and tables describing research conducted by Erin E. Barney, Kristine A. Funk, and Holly S. Perszyk, advised by Daniel D. Holt.BARC is a UW-Eau Claire collaborative faculty/student, community-based (Eau Claire Humane Association) program, where students are able to gain firsthand experience teaching dogs socially appropriatge behaviors using a behavior analytic approach. This program also offers students opportunities to practice applying the principles and terminology of operant conditioning learned in prerequisite course work for the program.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. Eau Claire County Human Association

Evaluating Effectiveness of Prompting Ratio Procedures in Basic Canine Obedience Training.

Color poster with text, images, and graphs describing research conducted by Kristine A. Funk, Holly S. Persyzk, Jonah P. Streff, and Erin E. Barney.Canine obedience training commonly utilizes hand movements, called prompts, of varying degrees to guide dogs to perform a behavior for the first time. Trainers employing various prompting procedures have observed that these prompts oftern become the signal for behavior to occur, instead of a verbal command serving as the signal. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a common training procedure using three different rations of prompted trials to probe trials (5:1, 3:1, and 1:1) when teaching young canines to sit and shake.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

The impact of continued intervention on weight: Five-year results from the weight loss maintenance trial

OBJECTIVE: In the Weight Loss Maintenance (WLM) Trial, a personal contact (PC) intervention sustained greater weight loss relative to a self-directed (SD) group over 30 months. This study investigated the effects of continued intervention over an additional 30 months and overall weight change across the entire WLM Trial. METHODS: WLM had 3 phases. Phase 1 was a 6-month weight loss program. In Phase 2, those who lost ≥4 kg were randomized to a 30-month maintenance trial. In Phase 3, PC participants (n = 196, three sites) were re-randomized to no further intervention (PC-Control) or continued intervention (PC-Active) for 30 more months; 218 SD participants were also followed. RESULTS: During Phase 3, weight increased 1.0 kg in PC-Active and 0.5 kg in PC-Control (mean difference 0.6 kg; 95% CI:-1.4 to 2.7; P = 0.54). Mean weight change over the entire study was -3.2 kg in those originally assigned to PC (PC-Combined) and -1.6 kg in SD (mean difference -1.6 kg; 95% CI:-3.0 to -0.1; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: After 30 months of the PC maintenance intervention, continuation for another 30 months provided no additional benefit. However, across the entire study, weight loss was slightly greater in those originally assigned to PC