Journaling and Weight Loss
This is a pilot study to evaluate the effect of keeping a ‘gratitude journal’ on the outcome of a weight loss program. All the subjects will be enrolled in the Lifesteps weight management program. The experimental group will maintain a gratitude journal and the control group will maintain a ‘neutral’ journal.
Description
Subjects who are referred to the Preventive Cardiology Program for weight management will be enrolled in the study after obtaining informed consent.
Subjects are enrolled into the program in groups of 10 to 12 every 6 weeks. Alternate groups will be will assigned to the two types of journaling. Each group will be given specific instructions related to the form of journaling assigned. These instructions will be in addition to the usual care prescribed in the Lifesteps�� program. In the intervention group, patients will be introduced to gratitude journaling at the beginning of the 12 week class series and asked to journal each day. They will turn in their gratitude journal weekly. At the beginning of each weekly class, five minutes will be spent discussing the journaling.
The control groups will not receive the information on gratitude journaling, but instead will be asked to complete a neutral journal in which they will journal in a general manner regarding their experiences participating in the Lifesteps�� weight management program. These will also be collected weekly. At the beginning of class, five minutes will be spent discussing the journaling.
There will be one consent form for the two groups. The instruction (either gratitude journaling or neutral journaling) that will be given to the subjects will reflect the group to which they have been randomized. Both types of journals will be reviewed initially, at mid-point and final by the psychologist (Robert Emmons) to verify the quality of reporting.
Routine tests- Weekly weights
Study Tests:
Pre/post depression: Beck Depression Inventory II; Pre/post Locus of Control: Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale; Pre/post SF 36 Quality of Life Questionnaire; Pre/post Gratitude Questionnaire
Status: Active, not recruiting (Phase 1). Started on January 1st, 2009.
Enrollment: 50 subjects
Study Type: Interventional
Study Design:
- Allocation: Randomized
- Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study
- Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
- Masking: Single Blind (Subject)
- Primary Purpose: Treatment
Conditions:
Interventions:
- Behavioral: Gratitude Journaling
- Behavioral: Neutral Journaling
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
BMI>25
18 years of age
Exclusion Criteria:
Severe psychiatric diagnosis which in the opinion of the PI would compromise participation in the study.
Addiction to alcohol and drugs
- Gender
Both
- Mininum Age
18 Years
- Maximum Age
80 Years
- Healthy Volunteers
No
Resources
Source: University of California, Davis
Authority: United States: Institutional Review Board
Locations
-
University of California, Davis Medical Center
Sacramento
California
95817
United States
Officials
CT Kappagoda, MD, PhD (Principal Investigator, University of California, Davis)
Sponsors
University of California, Davis (Lead Sponsor)
References
None.
Links
None.
- Date Verified
- May 1st, 2011
- First Received
- May 25th, 2011
- Last Changed
- May 25th, 2011
Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on June 09, 2011. Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.
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