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Obesity, MorbidNCT03642197

Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Support Figure Attendance at Bariatric Patients' Clinical Visits

A study testing Attendance in people with Obesity, Morbid and Bariatric Surgery Candidate, run by Ohio State University at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy for the inclusion of support figures and romantic partners throughout the bariatric surgery process, from pre-surgery to two months post-surgery. This will be done using a four-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Attendance
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
63 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
1 Aug 2018to 15 Aug 2019
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients in all arms must be ≥18 years-old, seeking bariatric surgery, speak and read/write English
  • Partners and support figures must be ≥18 years old, speak and read/write English, and have no prior history of BS
  • Partners in the PA and PA-TAU arms must be in a romantic relationship and cohabitate with the patient for at least 6 months

Who cannot join

  • No known terminal health diagnosis (i.e., Cancer)
  • In the PA and PA-TAU arms, no known domestic violence or abuse between partners

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Martha Morehouse Pavillion

    Columbus, Ohio, 43210

Other trials in United States

About this study

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy for the inclusion of support figures and romantic partners throughout the bariatric surgery process, from pre-surgery to two months post-surgery. This will be done using a four-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT). Using simple randomization, female patients in romantic relationships will be randomized into partner attended (PA) groups and treatment as usual (PA-TU) groups; patients (female or male) not in romantic relationships will be randomized into support figure attended (SFA) and SFA-TU groups.

The goals of this study are to provide preliminary evidence for including support figures/partners in patients' routine BS healthcare visits, including the subsequent impact on post-surgery patient and support figure/partner behavior change and weight loss, relationship outcomes, and exploration of barriers to support figure/partner involvement.

Read more

Aim 1: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of support figure/partner involvement for BS patients. Feasibility will be assessed throughout the study by attendance at the four pre-surgery classes and the clinic visit assessment time points. Perceived fiscal and time involved in the study will be assessed. Acceptability will be assessed from patient and support figure/partner interviews regarding the barriers and benefits to attendance, and alternative mediums to engage support figures/partners.

Aim 2: To evaluate the effect of support figure/partner attendance (SFA, PA arms) on patient weight loss, behavior change, and relationship outcomes from T1-T4. Estimates of effect size and variance in patient weight loss and behavior change will be collected from T1-T4 for comparison of the SFA/PA and SFA-TU/PA-TU arms.

Read the detailed description

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy for the inclusion of support figures and romantic partners throughout the bariatric surgery process, from pre-surgery to two months post-surgery. This will be done using a four-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT). Using simple randomization, female patients in romantic relationships will be randomized into partner attended (PA) groups and treatment as usual (PA-TU) groups; patients (female or male) not in romantic relationships will be randomized into support figure attended (SFA) and SFA-TU groups.

The goals of this study are to provide preliminary evidence for including support figures/partners in patients' routine BS healthcare visits, including the subsequent impact on post-surgery patient and support figure/partner behavior change and weight loss, relationship outcomes, and exploration of barriers to support figure/partner involvement.

Inclusion criteria for the PA arm requires patients be pre-surgery and registered for pre-surgery classes, identify as female, and in a romantic relationship with a cohabitating partner/spouse for at least 6 months. Inclusion criteria for the SFA arm requires patients be pre-surgery and registered for pre-surgery classes, and not be in a cohabitating romantic relationships. Known terminal illness diagnosis excludes patients and support figure/partner participation. The recruitment goal is 110 dyads in all four arms of the study (SFA, SFA-TU, PA, PA-TU).

Patients in all arms will receive routine care, which includes four pre-surgery classes and routine clinical visits. Support figures/partners of patients in the SFA and PA arms will be requested to attend the four pre-surgery classes with the patient and the three clinical visits; patients in the SFA-TU and PA-TU arms will attend individually. Assessments will be completed by patients and support figures/partners (all four arms) at the first pre-surgery class (T1) and routine clinical visits: the pre-surgery appointment (T2), two-weeks post-surgery appointment (T3), and at the two-months post-surgery appointment (T4).

Aim 1: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of support figure/partner involvement for BS patients. Feasibility will be assessed throughout the study by attendance at the four pre-surgery classes and the clinic visit assessment time points. Perceived fiscal and time involved in the study will be assessed. Acceptability will be assessed from patient and support figure/partner interviews regarding the barriers and benefits to attendance, and alternative mediums to engage support figures/partners.

Aim 2: To evaluate the effect of support figure/partner attendance (SFA, PA arms) on patient weight loss, behavior change, and relationship outcomes from T1-T4. Estimates of effect size and variance in patient weight loss and behavior change will be collected from T1-T4 for comparison of the SFA/PA and SFA-TU/PA-TU arms.

Hypothesis. Patients in the SFA and PA arms will experience increased weight loss, physical activity frequency, and higher compliance with post-surgery dietary recommendations compared to patients in the SFA-TU and PA-TU arms at T4.

Sub-aim 2.1. To evaluate the effect of attendance on support figure/partner weight status. Support figures and partners will complete measures of weight status at the same time points as the patient. Because it is largely unknown if support figures/partners could benefit from intervention with the patient, or if support figures/partners' weight status is similar to the patients, we will explore support figures/partners' weight status and if their weight status changes from T1 to T4.

Sub-aim 2.2. To determine the preliminary effect of attendance on relationship outcomes. Patients and support figures/partners will complete self-report measures of relationship quality (PA-only), attachment security (PA-only), family functioning, and perceived social support from T1-T4 to determine the effect of attendance on patient and support figure/partners' perspectives of relationship outcomes.

Being tested
Attendance
Keywords
Bariatric Surgery, Obesity, Social Support, Health Behavior
Medical subject headings
Obesity, Morbid, Feeding Behavior, Social Behavior, Motor Activity, Obesity, Health Behavior

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • AttendanceBehavioural

    The SFA and PA arms will be instructed to attend pre-surgery classes and clinical visits with the patients.

Study groups in NCT03642197
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Support Figure Attended (SFA)ExperimentalUsing simple randomization patients (female or male) not in romantic relationships will be randomized into support figure attended (SFA) and SFA-TU groups. Patients in all arms will receive routine care, which includes four pre-surgery classes and routine clinical visits. Support figures in the SFA arm will be requested to attend the four pre-surgery classes with the patient and the three clinical visits. The intervention is support figure attendance. Assessments will be completed by patients and support figures at the first pre-surgery class (T1) and routine clinical visits: the pre-surgery appointment (T2), two-weeks post-surgery appointment (T3), and at the two-months post-surgery appointment (T4).
Receives: Behavioral: Attendance
SFA - Treatment as Usual (SFA-TAU)No interventionUsing simple randomization patients (female or male) not in romantic relationships will be randomized into support figure attended (SFA) and SFA-TU groups. Patients in all arms will receive routine care, which includes four pre-surgery classes and routine clinical visits. Support figures in the SFA-TU arm will not be requested to attend the four pre-surgery classes with the patient and the three clinical visits- patients will attend alone. Assessments will be completed by patients and support figures at the first pre-surgery class (T1) and routine clinical visits: the pre-surgery appointment (T2), two-weeks post-surgery appointment (T3), and at the two-months post-surgery appointment (T4).
Partner Attended (PA)ExperimentalUsing simple randomization female patients in cohabiting romantic relationships for at least 6 months will be randomized into partner attended (PA) and PA-TU groups. Patients in all arms will receive routine care, which includes four pre-surgery classes and routine clinical visits. Partners in the PA arm will be requested to attend the four pre-surgery classes with the patient and the three clinical visits. The intervention is partner attendance. Assessments will be completed by patients and partners at the first pre-surgery class (T1) and routine clinical visits: the pre-surgery appointment (T2), two-weeks post-surgery appointment (T3), and at the two-months post-surgery appointment (T4).
Receives: Behavioral: Attendance
PA - Treatment as Usual (PA-TAU)No interventionUsing simple randomization female patients in cohabiting romantic relationships for at least 6 months will be randomized into partner attended (PA) and PA-TU groups. Patients in all arms will receive routine care, which includes four pre-surgery classes and routine clinical visits. Partners in the PA-TU arm will not be requested to attend the four pre-surgery classes with the patient and the three clinical visits- patients will attend alone. Assessments will be completed by patients and partners at the first pre-surgery class (T1) and routine clinical visits: the pre-surgery appointment (T2), two-weeks post-surgery appointment (T3), and at the two-months post-surgery appointment (T4).

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Percent Excess Weight Loss (%EWL, Patient)

    [(T1 weight in lbs) - (Follow up (T2-T4) Weight)] / [(TI Weight) - (Ideal Weight)]

    Measured: 6 months, 4 time points

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Dietary Compliance (Patient)

    Trained dieticians will conduct oral 24-hour recalls with patients and rate as (0) not compliant or (1) compliant. Ratings are based on the American Society of Metabolic Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) surgery guidelines.

    Measured: 6 months, 4 time points

  2. Physical Activity (Patient)

    Scale Name: Bouchard's Physical Activity Record. Items 1-9 are totaled to assess physical activity intensity, ranging from 24-96, where higher scores indicate higher intensity of activity throughout the day.

    Measured: 6 months, 4 time points

  3. Relationship Quality (Patient and Partner)

    Scale Name: Abbreviated Dyadic Assessment Scale (ADAS). There are 7 items to assess relationship quality on a continuous scale from 0-35, where higher scores indicate higher relationship quality. Items are scored on a 0-5 scale for items 1-6, and 0-6 scale for item 7.

    Measured: 6 months, 4 time points

  4. Perceived Social Support for Behavior Change (Patient and Partner/Support Figure)

    Scale Name: Social Support for Eating Habits and Exercise. There are 23 items scored on a continuous scale ranging from 23-115 to assess perceived social support for behavior change, where higher scores indicate higher perceived support. Each item is scored on a scale ranging from 1-5. There are four subscales 1) encouragement of eating habits (items: 1-5); 2) discouragement of eating habits (6-10); and 3) family participation in exercise (items 11-16, 20-23); and 4) punishment for exercise (items: 17-19).

    Measured: 6 months, 4 time points

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted22 Aug 2018
  2. Study start1 Aug 2018
  3. Primary completion15 Aug 2019
  4. Study completion15 Aug 2019

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
A four-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) using simple randomization will randomize female patients in romantic relationships into partner attended (PA) groups and treatment as usual (PA-TU) groups; patients (female or male) not in romantic relationships will be randomized into support figure attended (SFA) and SFA-TU groups. Patients in all arms will receive routine care. Support figures/partners of patients in the SFA and PA arms will be requested to attend the four pre-surgery classes with the patient and the three clinical visits; patients in the SFA-TU and PA-TU arms will attend individually. Assessments will be completed by patients and support figures/partners (all four arms) at the first pre-surgery class (T1) and routine clinical visits: the pre-surgery appointment (T2), two-weeks post-surgery appointment (T3), and at the two-months post-surgery appointment (T4). The study will follow all groups for roughly six months.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
63 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03642197
Sponsor's protocol ID
2018H0264
Status last verified
Sep 2025
First submitted
20 Aug 2018
Last updated
30 Sep 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Publications

  • Sharpley, C. F., & Rogers, H. J. (1984). Preliminary validation of the Abbreviated Spanier Dyadic Adjustment Scale: Some psychometric data regarding a screening test of marital adjustment. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 44(4), 1045-1049.

  • Fraley RC, Heffernan ME, Vicary AM, Brumbaugh CC. The Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationship Structures questionnaire: a method for assessing attachment orientations across relationships. Psychol Assess. 2011 Sep;23(3):615-25. doi: 10.1037/a0022898.

    PubMed 21443364
  • Epstein, N. B., Baldwin, L. M., & Bishop, D. S. (1983). The McMaster family assessment device. Journal of marital and family therapy, 9(2), 171-180.

  • Sallis JF, Grossman RM, Pinski RB, Patterson TL, Nader PR. The development of scales to measure social support for diet and exercise behaviors. Prev Med. 1987 Nov;16(6):825-36. doi: 10.1016/0091-7435(87)90022-3.

    PubMed 3432232
  • Bouchard C, Tremblay A, Leblanc C, Lortie G, Savard R, Theriault G. A method to assess energy expenditure in children and adults. Am J Clin Nutr. 1983 Mar;37(3):461-7. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/37.3.461.

    PubMed 6829488

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Attendance in people with Obesity, Morbid and Bariatric Surgery Candidate, run by Ohio State University at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Percent Excess Weight Loss (%EWL, Patient) (time frame: 6 months, 4 time points). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03642197, which also lists 5 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Sep 2025.

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