Telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy for female patients 1-year post-bariatric surgery: A pilot study

Obes Res Clin Pract. 2019 Sep-Oct;13(5):499-504. doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2019.07.003. Epub 2019 Aug 10.

Abstract

Objective: Although bariatric surgery is a durable treatment for patients with severe obesity, it does not directly address behavioural and psychological factors that potentially contribute to weight regain post-surgery. Psychological interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), can be challenging to access due to physical limitations and practical barriers. Telephone-based CBT (Tele-CBT) can improve eating psychopathology and psychological distress before and after surgery. Given the frequent occurrence/recurrence of problematic eating-related and psychological issues many patients face 1-year post-surgery, this open-trial pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Tele-CBT delivered 1-year post-surgery as an adjunctive treatment to the usual standard of bariatric care.

Methods: Patients (n=43) received six 1-h Tele-CBT sessions delivered weekly beginning at 1-year post-surgery. Patients completed questionnaire packages before and after the intervention to assess changes in binge eating (BES), emotional eating (EES), depression (PHQ-9), and anxiety (GAD-7).

Results: Thirty-two patients completed Tele-CBT yielding a 74.4% completion rate. Participants reported significant improvements on the Binge Eating Scale (t(31)=3.794, p=0.001), Emotional Eating Scale (t(31)=3.508, p=0.001), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Item Scale (z=-2.371, p=0.018), and Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 Item Scale (z=-3.546, p<0.001) immediately following Tele-CBT.

Discussion: The results demonstrate that Tele-CBT delivered 1-year post-surgery may improve binge eating, emotional eating, depression, and anxiety. Additional research is warranted to examine whether these changes translate into long-term improvements in bariatric surgery outcomes.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02920112.

Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Cognitive behavioural therapy; Disordered eating; Telephone therapy; Telepsychology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy
  • Bariatric Surgery*
  • Binge-Eating Disorder / therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity, Morbid / psychology
  • Obesity, Morbid / surgery*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Psychological Distress
  • Telemedicine / methods*
  • Telephone*

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02920112

Grants and funding