Socratic questioning for weight loss in adults with obesity
A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial for Weight Loss in Patients With Obesity: Assessment of the Socratic Questioning Method
This project will test whether brief Socratic questioning by primary care doctors helps adults aged 18–65 with obesity lose more weight than usual care.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 36 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Celal Bayar University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Manisa) |
| Trial ID | NCT07124832 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
In this randomized interventional study, physicians trained online in Socratic questioning will deliver brief 10–15 minute counseling at five in-person follow-up visits over three months and will be compared with routine obesity care. Adult patients (18–65) with BMI ≥30 are screened with the HADS and enrolled if they meet inclusion/exclusion criteria, then allocated by computer-assisted block randomization. Weight, height, and waist circumference are measured at baseline and each follow-up visit, and participants complete short baseline and final questionnaires. Patients with significant psychopathology will be referred for specialist evaluation and the trial focuses on feasibility and short-term weight change in a primary care setting.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–65 with BMI ≥30 who are willing to participate, can attend five in-person visits over three months, and do not have major psychiatric disorders or recent participation in another weight-loss program.
Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have active severe mental illness, suicidal ideation, current substance use, are on medications that alter weight, or recently completed another weight-loss program are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this low-cost, brief counseling method could be added to routine primary care to help patients with obesity achieve greater short-term weight loss.
How similar studies have performed: Related brief cognitive-behavioral and motivational interviewing approaches in primary care have produced modest weight-loss benefits, but Socratic questioning as a standalone technique is relatively untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 65 years * Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m² * Willingness to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Presence of active psychosis or manic episode * Intellectual disability * Severe depression or personality disorder * Auto- or hetero-aggressive behavior * Reported use of psychoactive substances * Suicidal ideation * Participation in another weight loss program within the last 6 months * Use of medications that cause long-term weight gain or loss * Detection of psychopathology based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
Where this trial is running
Manisa
- Manisa Celal Bayar University Mustafa Yardimci Education Family Health Center — Manisa, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Sıdıka E. Yokuş — Manisa Celal Bayar University
- Study coordinator: Sıdıka E. Yokuş
- Email: yokusece@gmail.com
- Phone: +905070615616
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.