
Feasibility Trial of a Problem-Solving Weight Loss Mobile Application
ObesityWeight LossThe purpose of this research was to develop and test the feasibility of Habit, a weight loss mobile application that was designed to coach patients through their weight loss challenges. In a pilot trial in 43 obese participants, investigators tested the feasibility of the Smart Coach mobile application when paired with a shortened online-delivered (8-week) behavioral weight loss intervention. Feasibility outcomes included frequency and duration of usage of the mobile app and each feature, recruitment, and retention. Post-intervention focus groups discussed the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. The investigators also performed exploratory analyses comparing conditions on problem solving skills and weight loss at 8 and 16 weeks, which will inform a subsequent randomized controlled efficacy trial.

Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on Weight Maintenance After Successful Weight Loss...
ObesityOverweightThe purpose of this study is to assess the effects of CBT after a successful weight loss by a comprehensive weight loss plan on weight maintenance in obese female adults.

The Beef WISE Study: Beef's Role in Weight Improvement, Satisfaction, and Energy
Weight LossThis is a 6 month long study to evaluate the inclusion or exclusion of beef within a weight loss program.

Comparative the Effect of Metformin and Acupuncture on Weight Loss and Insulin Sensitivity
Insulin SensitivityObesityThe investigators designed this randomized double blind (patients/ assessor) clinical trial to compare the therapeutic effects of Metformin monotherapy with Metformin and acupuncture combined therapy on weight loss and insulin sensitivity among overweight/obese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. We compared the inflammatory markers, lipid profiles, and adipokines in overweight/obese T2DM patients receiving the combined therapy to those receiving the Metformin monotherapy, to understand whether acupuncture plus Metformin is a better approach then Metformin only on treating diabetes.

An Internet-based Behavioral Weight Loss Program for HIV+ Patients
OverweightObesity1 moreThe goal of this project is to determine whether an Internet-based weight loss program will lead to weight loss and improvements in cardiovascular disease risk factors in people living with HIV.

Obesity Treatment Enhanced With Working Memory Training
ADHDWeight LossThis study will examine the effects of providing subjects who have attention deficits, with or without a formal diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with Working Memory computerized training and explore whether this training is a feasible way to help them better engage in a weight loss treatment program, thereby enhancing weight loss results. Half of the participants will receive five weeks of online adaptive WM training concurrently while attending an in-person 24-week behavioral weight management program and half will receive five weeks of a non-adaptive form of cognitive training concurrently while attending a 24-week behavioral weight management program in person.

Effects of WB-EMS and Dietetic Treatment on Cancer Patients
CancerCancer Cachexia3 moreThis study evaluates the effects of a 12-week whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) training combined with individualized nutritional support on body composition, muscle strength and function and quality of life of patients with malignant disease undergoing curative or palliative anti-cancer treatment

Lifestyle Modification and Lorcaserin for Weight Loss Maintenance
ObesityThe proposed 12-month randomized controlled trial will assess the efficacy of lifestyle counseling, combined with lorcaserin (10 mg BID) or placebo, in maintaining weight loss achieved during a prior 14-week dietary run-in. 14-week run-in. To qualify for randomization, participants must lose ≥5% of initial weight in the 14-week dietary run-in. This loss will be achieved with the provision of weekly, group lifestyle counseling, which includes a 1000-1200 kcal/day portion-controlled diet that combines four daily servings of a liquid diet (HMR shakes) with an evening meal of a frozen-food entree (and a fruit and vegetable serving). More than 70% of participants are expected to achieve the 5% criterion loss during the 14-week run-in. A total of 182 women and men with a BMI ≥33 and ≤55 kg/m2, without co-morbidities, or ≥30 and ≤55 kg/m2 (with a co-morbid cardiovascular disease (CVD) condition) will be enrolled in the 4-month run-in period. Prior to enrollment, all participants will have a history, physical exam, electrocardiogram (EKG), and appropriate blood tests. They will attend weekly group sessions for 14 weeks. Participants will have a brief medical visit at week 8 to check their health and blood tests will be repeated. The investigators anticipate that 136 (75%) participants will lose 5% or more of initial weight and qualify for randomization. Participants who do not lose 5% will be provided a list of weight loss resources (e.g., other programs) to facilitate their continued weight management. 12-month randomized trial with lorcaserin. A total of 136 participants who have lost 5% or more of initial weight in the run-in period will be randomly assigned, in double-blind fashion, to lorcaserin (10 mg BID) or matching placebo. To be eligible, participants must have a BMI (after prior weight loss) ≥30 kg/m2 (without co-morbidities) or greater than or equal to ≥27 (with a co-morbidity). Randomization will be performed by the Investigational Drug Service at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to randomization, all participants will complete a second brief history and physical examination, as well as an EKG and blood tests. Medication will be dispensed at the randomization visit and at brief medical visits that follow. Over the 1 year, all participants will participate in 16 group lifestyle modification classes designed for weight loss maintenance, approximately half of which will be delivered by group conference call. Primary outcome measure. The primary endpoint is change in body weight (in kg), as measured from randomization to month 12. The co-primary end-point is the percentage of participants in the two groups that, at month 12, maintained the ≥5% reduction in body weight achieved during the 14-week dietary run-in period. Secondary efficacy endpoints include changes in CVD risk factors, glycemic control, and quality of life, as measured from randomization to month 12. Exploratory endpoints include changes in these CVD and related outcomes, as measured at the start of the 14-week run-in period to month 12. The investigators also will examine the percentage of participants in the two groups who at month 12 achieved losses of ≥5%, ≥10%, and ≥15% of initial weight, as measured from the start of the run-in period. Safety endpoints will include physical examination, electrocardiogram, adverse events (AEs), standard laboratory tests, and mental health assessed by the Columbia Suicidality Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Statistical Analysis. The planned sample size of 136 participants, with a 1:1 randomization ratio, assumes a 20% drop-out rate (at month 12) and was estimated to be adequate to evaluate the primary endpoint with power ≥90% (P=0.05, two-sided test). The investigators predict a difference in weight change between the two groups (from randomization to month 12) of 4 kg (SD=3.5). Pre-specified data analysis will be performed on the full analysis set, comprising all randomized individuals exposed to trial drug with at least one post-randomization weight assessment.

Using Social Incentives and Gamification for Weight Loss Promotion
Weight LossObesity1 moreThis is a 36-week, three-arm randomized, controlled trial using a team-based model to compare two weight loss programs to control. Each intervention will use insights from behavioral economics to leverage social incentives and gamification.

Weight Loss and Healthy Diet Through Mobile Phone-enabled Social Interactions
OverweightObeseA randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of the social-enabled internet weight loss and diet change intervention with the delayed treatment group for 3 months. We will study the effect of adding social interactions and supports to an Internet weight loss and diet change intervention. The website intervention will have action planning with social interactions and support features for sharing, reusing, recommending, and discussing strategies for improving habits. We hypothesize that the intervention group with access to the website will lose more weight than the delayed treatment group after three months.