Enhanced Lifestyles for Metabolic Syndrome (ELM)
Metabolic Syndrome
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Metabolic Syndrome focused on measuring Behavioral intervention, Lifestyle
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Men and women with metabolic syndrome, defined by the Joint Interim Statement of the IDF, NHLBI, AHA, WHF, IAS, IASO (Alberti, 2009). Note that hemoglobin A1c will be measured as a marker of impaired glucose metabolism, but will not be considered in determining metabolic syndrome status. To meet metabolic syndrome criteria the participant should have ≥ 3 of the following five criteria:
- Waist circumference based on AHA/NHLBI (ATP III) cut points of ≥ 102 cm for men and ≥ 88 cm for women
- Fasting triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL or treatment for elevated triglycerides
- Fasting HDL cholesterol <40 mg/dL in men or <50 mg/dL in women, or treatment for low HDL
- Systolic blood pressure ≥130 m Hg, diastolic blood pressure ≥85 mm Hg, or treatment for hypertension
- Fasting plasma glucose 100-125 mg/dL (range inclusive)
- Greater than 18 years of age
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unable to walk 2 consecutive blocks without assistance, based on patient report.
- Unwilling, unable, or not ready to make the lifestyle changes prescribed in ELM
- Unwilling to be randomized to either arm of the trial
- Unable or unwilling to give an informed consent, communicate with study staff, or complete the study run-in period. The run-in period requires attending an information session, completing two assessment visits within the scheduled time (potential participant is allowed to reschedule once), wearing an accelerometer, and completing lifestyle logs (see protocol)
- Does not have reliable access to the internet via a computer or mobile device
- Not fluent in English
- Current diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or on any diabetes medications except metformin
- Inpatient treatment for a psychiatric condition within the past 6 months, or currently receiving treatment for schizophrenia or other serious psychiatric illness
- Probable major depression, defined as a PHQ-8 score ≥10
- Pregnant women, planning a pregnancy in the next 24 months, given birth in the last 6 months, or currently breastfeeding
- ≥ 30 total days of oral corticosteroid use within the last year, history of solid organ transplant, or history of stem cell transplant
- Problematic use of alcohol and/or recreational drugs based on the ASSIST screening tool (score of ≥27).
- Self-reported or known history of an eating disorder (e.g., binging and purging) in the past 5 years
- Use of weight loss medications (Qsymia, phentermine, etc.) or supplements in the last 3 months, or unwilling to abstain from taking weight loss medications or supplements during the study
- History of bowel resection surgery or bariatric surgery
- Participant does not have, or is unwilling to seek care from, a primary care physician at the time of enrollment
- Any medical condition known to influence the etiology of MetS as judged by the study physician (e.g., uncontrolled hypothyroidism, endocrine hypertension, etc)
- History of major cardiovascular illness, including a) stroke; b) myocardial infarction; c) congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization, or greater than NYHA heart failure class I; d) uncontrolled hypertension (SBP>180 or DBP > 105); e) unstable angina; or f) other major cardiovascular illness which the site PI determines could limit ability to participate in the trial.
- Behavioral/logistical barriers to trial participation or engagement, e.g., a scheduled major surgery, scheduling difficulties, travel plans, moving outside the study area
- Cognitive impairment, defined by a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score of ≤25. The MoCA will be administered only when research staff suspect cognitive impairment
- Visual or hearing impairment
- Severe food allergies or food intolerances/preferences that preclude participation in the ELM program
Currently taking or expecting to take any of the following exclusionary medications:
- Antiretroviral therapy (e.g., HAART)
- Weight loss medications (as in #14)
- Medications known to significantly influence weight or metabolic outcomes
- Diabetes drugs other than metformin (as in #7)
- Participation in any clinical trial, until at least six months following the end of the intervention phase. Individuals in long-term follow-up (over 6 months post intervention) may be enrolled in ELM.
- Cancer treatment within the last 6 months, excluding chemoprophylaxis or treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer.
- Previous participation in an ELM program or currently living with ELM participant.
Sites / Locations
- CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Rush University Medical Center
- University of Missouri-Kansas City
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- Geisinger
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Group-Based
Self-Directed
The Group-based Program uses an ecologically valid setting in which participants exercise, prepare foods, and eat together to facilitate the emergence of old habits and replace them with healthy alternatives. The intervention team consists of a health psychologist, registered dietitian, and health coach. They co-facilitate group meetings for 15 participants that are held weekly for 3 months, bi-weekly for 3 months, and then monthly in participant-led maintenance meetings. Each session includes: weigh-in and physical activity (20 min), cooking demonstration (20 min), and a shared vegetable dish with discussion (50 min). The maintenance phase (months 7 to 24 post randomization) consists of support and health-related topics of the participants' own choosing. Progress reports with lab results are sent to participants and primary care physicians.
The Self-Directed lifestyle program represents enhanced usual care based upon what is currently offered in primary care in the United States for lifestyle treatments for adults with metabolic syndrome. Usual care is enhanced by: 1) lifestyle education for management of metabolic syndrome provided in evidence-based tip sheets from nationally recognized organizations; 2) provision of a Fitbit for self-monitoring physical activity; 3) access to a website containing all education materials; and 4) progress report letters with lab results sent to participants and primary care physicians after completion of each assessment