Relapse prevention training and problem-solving therapy in the long-term management of obesity.

Authors:
  • ANArthur M. Nezu
    Arthur M. Nezu
  • WMWendy F. McKelvey
    Wendy F. McKelvey
  • RSRebecca L. Shermer
    Rebecca L. Shermer
  • DRDavid A. Renjilian
    David A. Renjilian
  • BVBarbara J. Viegener
    Barbara J. Viegener
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Abstract
This study compared 2 extended therapy programs for weight management with standard behavioral treatment (BT) without additional therapy contacts. Participants were 80 obese women who completed 20 weekly group sessions of BT and achieved a mean initial weight loss of 8.74 kg. Participants were randomly assigned to a no-further-contact condition (BT only) or to one of two extended interventions consisting of relapse prevention training (RPT) or problem-solving therapy (PST). No significant overall weight-change differences were observed between RPT and BT or between RPT and PST. However, participants who completed the PST intervention had significantly greater long-term weight reductions than BT participants, and a significantly larger percentage of PST participants achieved clinically significant losses of 10% or more in body weight than did BT participants (35% vs. 6%).