title: Effect of length of treatment on weight loss.
abstract: In this study we tested whether the efficacy of behavior therapy for obesity might be improved by lengthening the duration of treatment. Forty-eight obese clients were randomly assigned to either a standard treatment of 20 weekly sessions or to an extended treatment of 40 weekly sessions. The content of each program was identical, but the treatment procedures were introduced in a more gradual manner in the extended condition. At Week 20, the conditions showed equivalent weight losses. At 40- and 72-week evaluations, however, the extended treatment produced significantly greater mean weight losses than did the standard treatment.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Perri
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Nezu
authors.forename: E T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Patti
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: McCann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015431:Weight Loss