An interventional study of ACT for weight-related experiential avoidance in Eating Behavior, sponsored by Bahcesehir Cyprus University. Completed at 1 site in Cyprus. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2022-08-03.
Sponsored by Bahcesehir Cyprus University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other
This study aimed to investigate whether Acceptance and Commitment Therapy/Training would be helpful to reduce weight-related experiential avoidance among individuals who reported weight concern
This quasi-experimental study aimed to examine the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy/Training (ACT) in reducing weight-related experiential avoidance. Data were collected with a convenience sampling technique. After obtaining ethical approval, participants were invited to participate in the study via advertisements, and online posts. Due to the small sample size, participants who were willing to attend group discussions were included in the experimental group. Participants in the control group did not receive manipulation. All participants were provided with an informed consent form. All participants completed a questionnaire measuring outcomes (weight-related experiential avoidance, general experiential avoidance, eating attitudes, and social physique anxiety) at pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. Participants in the experimental group received ACT training including 6 sessions. The protocol was adapted from Pearson et al. (2012) with their permission. Each session took approximately 80 mins. Several aspects of ACT approach were discussed in the sessions. In session one, ACT approach was introduced. In session two, creative hopelessness was discussed. In session three, control strategies related to weight concern were identified. In session four, mindfulness exercises were completed. In the fifth session, values for meaningful life experience were discussed. In the last, sixth session, the ways to commit to action were discussed. Each session included exercises and homework. At the end of the study, the participants were provided with debrief form.
Bahcesehir Cyprus University is the lead sponsor of 3 studies on the registry; 1 is open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants in the experimental group received ACT training in the group setting aiming to reduce weight-related experiential avoidance. This included 6 sessions in total. Each session was completed approximately in 80 mins.
Behavioral: ACT for weight-related experiential avoidance
Participants in the control group did not receive any manipulation
Participants in the experimental group received weight concern-related ACT training in a group setting. Each session focused on different dimensions of ACT and included relevant exercises and homeworks. Dimensions studied included creative hopelessness, control strategies, mindfulness exercises, values and barries to values and commitment to action.
Change in weight-related experiential avoidance
It was measured by Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for Weight-Related Difficulties-Revised. The scale includes 10 items that are rated on 7 points scale (1 = not true at all - 7 = completely true). Higher scores indicate greater weight related experiential avoidance.
Time frame: At three time points (pre-intervention [baseline], immediately after the intervention, and at three weeks after the intervention)
Change in eating attitudes
Eating attitudes were measured by The Eating Attitudes Test-26. It includes 26 items that are rated on 4 point scale ('3 = Always, 2 = Usually, 1 = Often, 0 = Sometimes, Rarely, and Never'). The last item (26) requires reverse coding. Scores 20 and above indicate dysfunctional eating attitudes.
Time frame: At three time points (pre-intervention [baseline], immediately after the intervention, and at three weeks after the intervention)
Change in general experiential avoidance
It was measured by Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II. It includes 7 items that are rated on 7 point scale (1 = never true - 7 = always true). Minimum and maximum scores range between 7 and 49 points. Higher scores indicate greater general experiential avoidance (psychological inflexibility).
Time frame: At three time points (pre-intervention [baseline], immediately after the intervention, and at three weeks after the intervention)
Change in social physique anxiety
It was measured by The Social Physique Anxiety Scale. The scale includes 12 items are rated on a 5-point scale (1=not at all true to 5=extremely true). Higher scores indicate a higher level of anxiety related to the social physique. Only item 1, 2, 5, 8 and 11 requires reverse coding.
Time frame: At three time points (pre-intervention [baseline], immediately after the intervention, and at three weeks after the intervention)
Plan to share: No
This study is completed, as verified in Aug 2022. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Bahcesehir Cyprus University