title: A virtual reality intervention (Second Life) to improve weight maintenance: Rationale and design for an 18-month randomized trial.
abstract: Despite the plethora of weight loss programs available in the US, the prevalence of overweight and obesity (BMI≥25kg/m(2)) among US adults continues to rise at least, in part, due to the high probability of weight regain following weight loss. Thus, the development and evaluation of novel interventions designed to improve weight maintenance are clearly needed. Virtual reality environments offer a promising platform for delivering weight maintenance interventions as they provide rapid feedback, learner experimentation, real-time personalized task selection and exploration. Utilizing virtual reality during weight maintenance allows individuals to engage in repeated experiential learning, practice skills, and participate in real-life scenarios without real-life repercussions, which may diminish weight regain. We will conduct an 18-month effectiveness trial (6 months weight loss, 12 months weight maintenance) in 202 overweight/obese adults (BMI 25-44.9kg/m(2)). Participants who achieve ≥5% weight loss following a 6month weight loss intervention delivered by phone conference call will be randomized to weight maintenance interventions delivered by conference call or conducted in a virtual environment (Second Life®). The primary aim of the study is to compare weight change during maintenance between the phone conference call and virtual groups. Secondarily, potential mediators of weight change including energy and macronutrient intake, physical activity, consumption of fruits and vegetables, self-efficacy for both physical activity and diet, and attendance and completion of experiential learning assignments will also be assessed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. Electronic address: dsulliva@kumc.edu.
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. Electronic address: jgoetz@kumc.edu.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Goetz
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. Electronic address: cgibson@kumc.edu.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. Electronic address: mmayo@kumc.edu.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mayo
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Institute, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. Electronic address: rwashburn@ku.edu.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Washburn
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, The University of Kansas, 1122 West Campus Rd., Lawrence, KS 66045-3101, USA. Electronic address: yjlee@ku.edu.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Institute, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. Electronic address: lptomey@kumc.edu.
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Ptomey
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Institute, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. Electronic address: jdonnelly@ku.edu.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Donnelly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000068959:Body Weight Maintenance; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D050177:Overweight / Q000628:therapy; D064787:Portion Size; D020377:Self Efficacy; D063367:Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Conference call; Portion controlled meals; Second Life; Virtual reality; Weight loss; Weight maintenance