Supporting Weight Management (SWiM) feasibility study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Acceptability and feasibility of an acceptance-based guided self-help programme for weight loss maintenance in adults who have previously completed a behavioural weight loss programme: the SWiM feasibility study
IRAS ID
279784
Contact name
Amy Ahern
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Cambridge, School of Clinical Medicine
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN12685964
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The cost-effectiveness and long-term impact of behavioural weight management programmes depends on post-treatment weight loss maintenance. Systematic reviews show that most weight is regained within 3-5 years, even after specialist-led behavioural programmes. Extended use of traditional behavioural strategies (e.g. self- monitoring, problem solving) can improve weight loss maintenance to some extent, but new approaches are needed to maximise the benefits of behavioural weight management programmes.
There is growing evidence to suggest that interventions based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) may be more effective for longer-term weight control and can improve some psychological determinants of weight loss maintenance. However, to date most studies have been conducted in a US setting and the cost-effectiveness of this type of intervention has not been evaluated. Acceptance-based programmes are usually psychologist-led and the cost and scarcity of psychologists specialising in obesity could limit their use in countries with a national health care system. There is currently insufficient evidence on cost-effectiveness or the importance of facilitator expertise and mode of delivery to recommend scalable implementation of acceptance-based interventions, particularly in the context of weight loss maintenance.
We developed the SWiM (Supporting Weight Management) programme as a guided self-help programme that uses acceptance-based treatment and specifically focusses on supporting post-treatment weight loss maintenance. SWiM uses digital technology and non-specialists to minimise resources needed to deliver an acceptance-based programme at scale. SWiM is intended to be used after someone has completed a standard behavioural weight management programme, and seeks to reinforce what helped people to lose weight and teach new skills and strategies for the longer term. The current study is designed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the SWiM intervention and to inform the development of a protocol for a full scale trial examining its cost-effectiveness compared to standard care.REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/EE/0024
Date of REC Opinion
15 Mar 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion