Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Promote Autonomous Motivation for Increased Physical Activity and Improved Weight Loss Maintenance in Bariatric Surgery Patients: A Randomized Trial
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a psychological intervention can increase regular physical activity to help prevent weight regain after metabolic bariatric surgery in adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does the psychological intervention increase physical activity? 2. Does the psychological intervention prevent weight regain? 3. Does the psychological intervention increase internal motivation for physical activity and acceptance of the discomfort that can come with physical activity? Researchers will compare the psychological intervention to an educational intervention to see if the psychological intervention works to increase physical activity and prevent weight regain after metabolic bariatric surgery. Participants will: * Complete 12 months of either the psychological or educational intervention. This includes attending online workshops with a small group of participants, completing brief homework assignments, and having individual telephone calls with a counselor. * Wear a device to measure physical activity, use an electronic scale to measure body weight, and complete questionnaires at home on five separate occasions over an 18-month period
• Having undergone either a primary Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy bariatric procedure between 6 and 20 months prior to enrollment
• Have reached their nadir weight and regained less than 10% of maximum weight lost based on weight measurements
• Had their surgery performed at Hartford Hospital or another surgical weight loss center within the Hartford HealthCare system.
• Able to provide consent
• Willing to engage in and complete the study protocol
• Able to safely participate in a physical activity program