Building an Evidence Base for Weight Loss Strategies Among Those With Chronic SCI-The GLB-SCI+ (GLB-SCI+)
Spinal Cord Injuries, Obesity, Weight Loss
About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for Spinal Cord Injuries
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Over 18 years old
- Have had a spinal cord injury for at least 1 year
- Overweight as evidenced by BMI > 25
- Must have sufficient upper arm mobility to engage in exercise
- Must have access to the internet
- Must be able to obtain physician signed clearance to participate in a weight management intervention
Exclusion Criteria:
- Cognitive impairment which substantially impairs autonomy (e.g. mental retardation)
- Medical issues for which exercise is contraindicated such as uncontrolled hypertension or coronary heart disease,
- Pregnancy
- Not fluent in English
- Presence of grade 3 or 4 pressure ulcer
- Previously diagnosed eating disorder
Sites / Locations
- Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Dallas
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Portion-Controlled Meals
Enhanced Self-Monitoring
GLB-SCI
GLB-SCI+
Participants will receive prepackaged food, delivered biweekly to their home over the course of 13 weeks, with costs covered by the grant. Depending on their calorie goals, participants will drink and eat a mix of shakes and entrees each day, plus up to five fruits and vegetables. HMR entrees and shakes are formulated to provide recommended levels of macronutrients, vitamins, sodium, fat, cholesterol and fiber and fortified to meet at least 100% of the recommended daily allowance for essential vitamins and minerals.
Participants will be encouraged to self-monitor 4 specific behaviors daily: 1) measuring their food; 2) measuring their physical activity; 3) recording their food, drink, and physical activity; and 4) monitoring their weight. To achieve this aim, participants will attend a single group-based educational session at baseline during which they will be provided the self-monitoring equipment (scale and Garmin vivofit) and receive training about how to use the Lilypad scale and smartphone food tracking app.
The content and delivery format of the developed GLB SCI lifestyle intervention program is subject to change based on guidance of the SCI Consumer Group. Therefore, this section provides a general description of the GLB AIM (lifestyle intervention program adapted for impaired mobility). The content of the GLB AIM core meetings include a mix of in-person (4) and telephone (9) sessions. The initial meeting is conducted in person, with one in-person sessions delivered each month, and the intervening weeks delivered by telephone. To achieve weight loss, participants will be encouraged to follow daily calorie and fat gram goals to achieve a .5 to 1 pound weight loss over the 13 weeks. Participants will also be encouraged to gradually increase their physical activity to ultimately achieve 150 weekly minutes.
The final multicomponent GLB SCI+ will include combining specific intervention strategies identified from the previous 3 interventions as effective and usable. If all 3 strategies yield evidence in support of being included, the combined intervention would encompass (1) providing prepackaged foods for a specified period of time to facilitate greater initial weight loss, (2) encouraging enhanced self-monitoring of food, physical activity, and weight using devices and apps along with social support, and (3) delivering the further adapted GLB SCI in a group-based format to teach skills helpful in making lifestyle changes.