Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to boost activity and keep weight off after bariatric surgery

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

['FUNDING_R01'] · HARTFORD HOSPITAL · NIH-11249641

This project uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help adults who had bariatric surgery stay active and maintain weight loss.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorHARTFORD HOSPITAL (nih funded)
Locations1 site (HARTFORD, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11249641 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

If you join, you would be randomly assigned to receive a group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) workshop plus follow-up email feedback and phone support or to the comparison condition used at the hospital. The ACT sessions focus on clarifying personal values, building internal motivation for regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and learning ways to accept and move past thoughts or feelings that block activity. Study staff will follow participants over time to track physical activity, weight, and related health measures. Participation will involve scheduled visits and contacts at Hartford Hospital over the study period.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults who have undergone metabolic or bariatric surgery, are 21 or older, and are not regularly meeting recommended moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels would be ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People who have not had bariatric surgery, are already regularly active at recommended levels, or have medical reasons preventing moderate-to-vigorous activity may not benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help people keep up physical activity and reduce long-term weight regain after bariatric surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Small pilot studies of ACT-based workshops have shown promise for increasing physical activity, but larger randomized trials in bariatric surgery patients are limited.

Where this research is happening

HARTFORD, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.