title: The use of motivational interviewing techniques to enhance the efficacy of guided self-help behavioral weight loss treatment.
abstract: This study assessed whether motivational interviewing (MI), applied as part of a standard guided self-help (GSH) behavioral weight loss treatment, reduced attrition rate and improved participant weight loss and other eating-related and general psychological measures, relative to a standard GSH treatment alone. Thirty-nine overweight patients (7 males, 32 females) were randomized to receive either 6 sessions of traditional guided self-help and 2 traditional motivation-focused sessions (GSH treatment); or 6 guided self-help sessions and 2 sessions utilizing an MI approach to motivation (GSH/MI treatment). In intention-to-treat analyses, significant differences were found in the areas of eating concern and control over eating, favoring GSH/MI. Between-group effect size estimates indicated a small advantage for GSH/MI over GSH in weight loss, as well as on a number of secondary eating-related measures. Implications and future directions are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Department of Psychology, Psychology Building, Busch Campus, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8020, United States. idimarco@montefiore.org
authors.forename: Ilyse Dobrow
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: DiMarco
authors.forename: Dena A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: Vicki L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: G Terence
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult