Effects of Journaling on Weight Loss

NCT ID: NCT01660685

Last Updated: 2013-02-04

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

100 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2012-08-31

Study Completion Date

2013-01-31

Brief Summary

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This is a randomized controlled trial with enhanced usual care treatment control. The aim is to determine the effects of journaling and use of resource website on weight loss. There will be two groups of 55 participants each. The intervention condition will be asked to record daily weight, physical activity steps taken and pre-portioned food items and to complete two daily journaling activities. Participants will also receive weekly tracing data, a weekly blog from the principal investigator and have access to a weight control website. The control group will not have access to the tracking, journaling or website for three months. Investigators hypothesize that a website paired with tracking and journaling will be more effective in helping participants lose weight.

Detailed Description

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Participants will call study line given on recruitment materials and be screened over the phone.

Baseline visit:

Individuals who meet the screening criteria will be invited to a one-hour training session about the website and diet plan book. During the training, a coordinator will review the consent form with the participants and ask if they have any questions. The coordinator will take consented individuals' height, weight and blood pressure measurements. Participants will be given a pedometer to use during physical activities and a meal replacement book to use as a resource.

After baseline visit:

All participants will complete surveys online (Demographics, Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, Motivation, Weight Loss Habits, Medication log, International Physical Activity Questionnaire) and be randomized into one of two groups. The intervention group will be asked to record their weight, physical activity steps, pre-portioned food items and journal entries on a daily basis. The control group will be sent an email informing them they will have access to the tracking, journals and website in three months.

Intervention Group:

Participants will receive daily emails with links to record their weight, physical activity steps and pre-portioned food items; participants will also complete a journaling response to two writing prompts. The emails will contain links to the website to be used as a resource. Every week, participants will enter whether they have an appointment with primary care provider in the next week. Participants will also receive weekly blogs from the principal investigator; participants can opt out of receiving the blog emails at any time. Coordinators will review the database weekly. If a participant has lost ten pounds, they will be emailed to call their doctor since weight loss can affect blood pressure and medication needs. If a participant has an upcoming primary care provider appointment, they will be emailed to print out their tracking graphs (weight, steps taken, meal replacements). Coordinators will also monitor journal responses; coordinators will contact participants who wrote useful entries to ask if the participant's responses can be shared with other participants. Shared posts will be anonymous; only the age of the individual will be given.

Month one and two visits:

Participants from both groups will be asked to come to Hershey Medical Center to have their height, weight and blood pressure measured.

Month three visit:

Participants from both groups will be asked to come to Hershey Medical Center to have their height, weight and blood pressure measured. Prior to their visit, participants will be asked to complete a series of surveys online (Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, Motivation, Weight Loss Habits, Medication log, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Satisfaction). Participants in the control group will be given a booklet containing the writing prompts, tracking and website address to complete on their own if they so choose.

Participants will be asked if they would like to come back for an optional video interview. The interview will consist of six questions about their experience with the study.

Conditions

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Overweight Obese

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Tracking + Journaling + Website

In addition to standard care, participants will complete daily tracking and journaling and receive weekly feedback based on their individual entries.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Tracking

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants will record their daily weight, physical activity steps and meal replacements online

Journaling

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants will journal to two online writing prompts: one on positive focus and one on goal setting

Website

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants will have access to resource website with stories and tips from people who successfully lost weight, blogs from investigators, quotes from other participants.

Enhanced Usual Care

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive standard care of monthly height, weight and blood pressure measurements. Participants will also receive a pedometer and a diet plan book on pre-portioned items.

Enhanced Usual Care

Participants receive standard care

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Enhanced Usual Care

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive standard care of monthly height, weight and blood pressure measurements. Participants will also receive a pedometer and a diet plan book on pre-portioned items.

Interventions

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Tracking

Participants will record their daily weight, physical activity steps and meal replacements online

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Journaling

Participants will journal to two online writing prompts: one on positive focus and one on goal setting

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Website

Participants will have access to resource website with stories and tips from people who successfully lost weight, blogs from investigators, quotes from other participants.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Enhanced Usual Care

Participants will receive standard care of monthly height, weight and blood pressure measurements. Participants will also receive a pedometer and a diet plan book on pre-portioned items.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* 21 to 65 years old
* Body mass index between 27 and 45
* E-mail and Internet access
* Able to read, write, and understand English

Exclusion Criteria

* Weight loss of more than 5% of current body weight in previous 6 months
* Participated in weight loss research in previous 6 months
* Current use of weight loss medication or program
* History of or scheduled weight loss surgery
* Heart, liver, or kidney failure
* Been told by doctor of heart trouble
* Frequent pains in heart and chest
* Often feel faint or have spells of severe dizziness
* Bone or joint problem that has been or might be aggravated by exercise
* Physical reason for not following activity program
* History of sever cognitive impairment or major psychiatric illness
* Pregnant in previous 6 months, currently or planning to become pregnant in next 3 months
* Moving in next 6 months
Minimum Eligible Age

21 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Christopher Sciamanna, MD, MPH

Chief, Division of General Internal Medicine

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Christopher Sciamanna, MD, MPH

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Locations

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Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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39952EP

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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