Investigation of set shifting in bariatric surgery patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of set shifting in bariatric surgery patients
IRAS ID
187761
Contact name
Moira Moulton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Tayside Medical Science Centre
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 20 days
Research summary
The purpose of the proposed study is to examine the performance of female bariatric individuals on tests of cognitive flexibility, pre and post bariatric surgery. Preliminary research indicates that bariatric individuals have a particular difficulty in cognitive flexibility. Cognitive flexibility involves the ability to switch attention and allows the individual to change their thinking or behaviour to adapt to the demands of the environment or situation they are in. It is thought deficits in cognitive flexibility may be associated with characteristics commonly seen clinically in the bariatric population. Bariatric patients have been documented to present clinically with rigid and perfectionistic personalities, inflexible eating-related behaviours, difficulties assimilating treatment recommendations and rigid daily routines, which are all behaviours associated with impairments in cognitive flexibility.
The cognitive effects of bariatric surgery are currently relatively unknown. The limited research indicates that memory, attention and executive functioning improve post-operatively. To date, no study has investigated the effects of bariatric surgery on cognitive flexibility.
The proposed study aims to examine the effect of bariatric surgery on cognitive flexibility. The secondary aim of the study is to examine whether degree of cognitive flexibility impairment pre-bariatric surgery predicts weight loss outcome post-bariatric surgery. The study adopts quantitative research methods and will employ a longitudinal design. Data will be collected by clinical interview, formal neuropsychological testing and completion of questionnaires at 2 stages (pre-bariatric surgery and post-bariatric surgery).
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/WM/0240
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion