A new emotion-regulation and self-monitoring program for teens with overweight or obesity
Official title: Emotion Regulation Intervention to Improve Neural Responsiveness and Health
Run by Texas Tech University · NCT06755827 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program will test whether weekly emotion-regulation telehealth groups plus mood and behavior self-monitoring help 11–14-year-olds with overweight or obesity better than receiving educational handouts.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase1; Phase2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 11 Years to 14 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Texas Tech University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lubbock, Texas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 24, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | May 15, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06755827 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Teens aged 11–14 who speak English, live in Lubbock County (TX) or nearby, are at or above the 85th BMI percentile, and have internet access for telehealth are the intended participants.
✕Probably not a fit
Those with psychiatric or medical conditions that interfere with participation, current enrollment in other weight treatments, or MRI contraindications are unlikely to benefit or may be ineligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Eligible adolescents will be assigned to either a four-week telehealth group program teaching emotion-regulation skills with between-session self-monitoring or to receive educational handouts about overweight and obesity. Participants complete self-report questionnaires, an fMRI scan, and blood draws before and after the intervention to measure neural, biological, and behavioral changes. The trial compares whether the active program reduces cognitive and emotional biases and whether those changes relate to health behaviors and functioning. As a Phase 1/2 pilot, the project focuses on feasibility and preliminary signals to guide future larger trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve teens' emotion regulation and self-monitoring in ways that promote healthier behaviors and better weight-related outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Related emotion-regulation and self-monitoring approaches have shown promise in behavioral studies, but linking neural bias changes to health outcomes in pediatric obesity using fMRI is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Being English-proficient * Ages 11-14 * At or above the 85th BMI percentile based on age and sex norms * Having access to WIFI or cellular data to attend the telehealth groups * Living in a home in Lubbock County (TX) or surrounding areas. Exclusion Criteria: * Having a psychiatric or medical diagnosis that interferes with participation (e.g., significant developmental delay; pregnancy) * Current enrollment in overweight/obesity treatment. * Because the study will include entering an MRI scanner, additional standard exclusion criteria will be considered (e.g., having immovable medical devices with batteries, body piercings on the head/face, and having substantial visual impairment that cannot be corrected with staff-provided glasses)
Where it's running
-
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Caroline Cummings, PhD
- Email: carolicu@ttu.edu
- Phone: 806-834-0931
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.