Manualised Cognitive Remediation Therapy for Adult Obesity: a Randomised Controlled Trial — ASN Events

Manualised Cognitive Remediation Therapy for Adult Obesity: a Randomised Controlled Trial (#278)

Jayanthi Raman 1 , Phillipa Hay 1 , Evelyn Smith 2
  1. Centre for Health Research, School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  2. School of Social Sciences and Psychology, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Research has shown that obese individuals have cognitive deficits in executive functioning, leading to poor planning and difficulties in impulse control and decision-making. In addition, weight loss failure has been linked to these executive deficiencies. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of a novel, manualised cognitive remediation therapy for obesity (CRT-O) intended to improve executive function, enhance reflective practice and help weight loss maintenance. 80 obese adults (body mass index >30 kg/m2), 70% with binge eating disorder, received three weekly sessions of group Behaviour Weight Loss Treatment and then were randomised to receive 8 sessions of individual CRT-O or to a no-treatment control group. Results showed that the CRT-O group had a significant increase in executive function at post-treatment and 3-month follow up compared to the control group (Cohen’s d = 0.87 to 2.1). Weight loss interventions are considered to be clinically significant if participants lose ≥5% of their total body weight. 68% of those in the CRT-O group achieved a weight loss of 5% or more at follow-up compared to only 15% of the controls (Cohen’s d = 1.2). Changes in executive function predicted changes in weight (p<.05). Binge eating also reduced in the CRT-O group compared to the control condition (Cohen’s d = 0.83). The findings support further development of CRT-O as an individual or adjunctive therapy to improve outcomes for people with obesity and binge eating.