A mindfulness-based intervention to control weight after bariatric surgery: Preliminary results from a randomized controlled pilot trial

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to develop and test a novel mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) designed to control weight after bariatric surgery.

Design: Randomized, controlled pilot trial.

Setting: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.

Interventions: Bariatric patients 1-5 years post-surgery (n=18) were randomized to receive a 10-week MBI or a standard intervention.

Main outcome measures: Primary outcomes were feasibility and acceptability of the MBI. Secondary outcomes included changes in weight, eating behaviors, psychosocial outcomes, and metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers. Qualitative exit interviews were conducted post-intervention. Major themes were coded and extracted.

Results: Attendance was excellent (6 of 9 patients attended ≥7 of 10 classes). Patients reported high satisfaction and overall benefit of the MBI. The intervention was effective in reducing emotional eating at 6 months (-4.9±13.7 in mindfulness vs. 6.2±28.4 in standard, p for between-group difference=0.03) but not weight. We also observed a significant increase in HbA1C (0.34±0.38 vs. -0.06±0.31, p=0.03). Objective measures suggested trends of an increase in perceived stress and symptoms of depression, although patients reported reduced stress reactivity, improved eating behaviors, and a desire for continued mindfulness-based support in qualitative interviews.

Conclusions: This novel mindfulness-based approach is highly acceptable to bariatric patients post-surgery and may be effective for reducing emotional eating, although it did not improve weight or glycemic control in the short term. Longer-term studies of mindfulness-based approaches may be warranted in this population.

Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02603601.

Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Mindfulness; Obesity; Weight.

Conflict of interest statement

Statement Dr. Chacko has received payment for instructing mindfulness classes at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. All other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1

Conceptual model underlying novel mindfulness-based intervention.

Figure 2

Model of weight regain.