# Testing the efficacy of a technology-assisted intervention to improve weight management of obese patients within Patient Aligned Care Teams at the VA

> **NIH VA I01** · VA NEW YORK HARBOR HLTHCARE/SYS/BROOKLYN · 2020 · —

## Abstract

Project Summary Abstract
Project Background
Veterans shoulder a disproportionate burden of obesity and its co-morbidities. The VA currently offers an
effective weight management program called MOVE!, but the majority of eligible patients do not attend. Since
Veterans see their primary care providers (PCPs) on average 3.6 times per year, the primary care (PC) visit is
an important opportunity to counsel obese patients about weight management, especially patients who cannot
or prefer not to attend the MOVE! program. However, since PCPs often fail to counsel patients, interventions
are needed to facilitate weight management counseling within the PACT model of team-based care. Through
HSR&D CDA study 10-206, we used rigorous qualitative methods (patient focus groups, key informant
interviews with PACT staff, and usability testing of novel software) to develop the MTG intervention that
integrates technology-assisted counseling by a health coach and PACT staff to deliver weight management
counseling using the 5As framework (assess, advise, agree, assist, arrange) as recommended by the United
States Preventive Services Task Force.
Project Objectives
The objectives of this study are to: (a) test the impact of the MTG intervention on weight change and
behavioral/clinical outcomes; (b) identify predictors of weight loss in Veterans participating in the intervention
group related to goal setting processes and intervention components; and (c) determine the impact of the MTG
intervention on PACT obesity-related counseling practices and attitudes.
Project Methods
To achieve these objectives, we will conduct a cluster randomized controlled trial of PACTs (randomized at
RN Care Manager level) and 392 of their obese Veteran patients at two VA sites (New York and Brooklyn
campuses, NY Harbor Healthcare System) to study the impact of the 12-month MTG intervention when
compared to Enhanced Usual Care. Patients in the MTG intervention will take the MTG tool, receive health
coach counseling, go to their scheduled same-day PC visit, receive brief PACT counseling, and receive follow
up telephone coaching from the health coach over 12 months. The MTG tool is a mobile-friendly software
program designed to be delivered on tablet computers in the clinic setting to assess lifestyle behaviors and
barriers, provide tailored advice and patient education materials, create initial weight loss and behavior change
goals, and facilitate counseling by the health coach and PACT staff. Patients in the Enhanced Usual Care arm
will receive patient education materials (standard VA Healthy Living Messages) and attend their scheduled
same-day PC visit. All patient participants will attend follow-up visits at 3-, 6- and 12-months to assess Body
Mass Index, waist circumference, diet and physical activity, and goal attainment. PACT staff and health coach
outcomes will include 5As-related competency, as well as quality and frequency of counseling.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9927908
- **Project number:** 5I01HX002119-02
- **Recipient organization:** VA NEW YORK HARBOR HLTHCARE/SYS/BROOKLYN
- **Principal Investigator:** Melanie Jay
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-07-01 → 2021-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9927908

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9927908, Testing the efficacy of a technology-assisted intervention to improve weight management of obese patients within Patient Aligned Care Teams at the VA (5I01HX002119-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9927908. Licensed CC0.

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