# Teaching Novel Values-Based Skills to Improve Long-Term Weight Loss: A Randomized Trial Examining the Efficacy of a Weight Loss Maintenance Intervention Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

> **NIH NIH R01** · MIRIAM HOSPITAL · 2020 · $507,997

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This proposal is for an investigator-initiated clinical trial R01. Obesity is a major public health problem, and
although short-term weight loss is achievable, individuals often regain the majority of weight that was lost.
Current approaches have adjusted behavioral prescriptions and lengthened treatment contact in an effort to
address this problem, with modest effect. The investigators of this proposal have developed and piloted a brief
intervention based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) that focuses on teaching novel content
and skills that promote values clarification and commitment; providing the needed motivation to continue with
weight control efforts. In a pilot study, participants (N=102) who recently lost ≥5% in a behavioral weight loss
program were randomly assigned to receive (a) 5-hour ACT workshop, a 5-hour workshop based on Self-
Regulation (SR), or a no workshop control condition (Control), with all groups receiving 3 months of follow-up
email contact. The ACT group had greater weight loss at 24 months (7.2%) relative to the SR (4.2%; Cohen’s
d=.39) and Control (-1.1%; d=.73). These results represent a potential paradigm shift for improving weight loss
maintenance towards teaching completely novel skills delivered in brief format, warranting study in a larger
trial. Therefore, the proposed R01 project is a randomized controlled clinical trial to compare the efficacy of an
ACT intervention and a SR intervention on weight loss maintenance over a 30-month period. All participants
will first complete a well-validated online weight loss intervention (months 1-3 of the study). Participants who
lose ≥4 kilograms of initial weight will then be randomly assigned to receive ACT or SR, with both conditions
consisting of three face-to-face, group-based intervention meetings (10 hours total) and weekly email contact
for 6 months. The ACT intervention will target a novel theoretically derived intervention target, values-
consistent behavior, which will help align weight loss goals with personal values and foster internal motivation
to continue with weight control efforts. Assessments will be at baseline, post-weight loss/pre-randomization,
and then 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30-month follow-up (months from randomization). We hypothesize that the ACT
group will show significantly better weight loss maintenance (i.e. lower mean weight gain) at 30 months as
compared to SR. The primary site for this award is the Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center
(WCDRC). The WCDRC is part of the Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine at The Miriam Hospital
in Providence, Rhode Island, and the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the Alpert Medical
School of Brown University. This study is significant because it addresses weight loss maintenance – a critical
barrier to treating obesity – and results of the study could be used to improve long-term weight loss outcomes
and associated health benefits for treatment s...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10022320
- **Project number:** 5R01DK120731-02
- **Recipient organization:** MIRIAM HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** JASON LILLIS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $507,997
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-23 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10022320

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10022320, Teaching Novel Values-Based Skills to Improve Long-Term Weight Loss: A Randomized Trial Examining the Efficacy of a Weight Loss Maintenance Intervention Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (5R01DK120731-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10022320. Licensed CC0.

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