title: SRT-Joy - computer-assisted self-regulation training for obese children and adolescents: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity is not only a highly prevalent disease but also poses a considerable burden on children and their families. Evidence is increasing that a lack of self-regulation skills may play a role in the etiology and maintenance of obesity. Our goal with this currently ongoing trial is to examine whether training that focuses on the enhancement of self-regulation skills may increase the sustainability of a complex lifestyle intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a multicenter, prospective, parallel group, randomized controlled superiority trial, 226 obese children and adolescents aged 8 to 16 years will be allocated either to a newly developed computer-training program to improve their self-regulation abilities or to a placebo control group. Randomization occurs centrally and blockwise at a 1:1 allocation ratio for each center. This study is performed in pediatric inpatient rehabilitation facilities specialized in the treatment of obesity. Observer-blind assessments of outcome variables take place at four times: at the beginning of the rehabilitation (pre), at the end of the training in the rehabilitation (post), and 6 and 12 months post-rehabilitation intervention. The primary outcome is the course of BMI-SDS over 1 year after the end of the inpatient rehabilitation. Secondary endpoints are the self-regulation skills. In addition, health-related quality of life, and snack intake will be analyzed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The computer-based training programs might be a feasible and attractive tool to increase the sustainability of the weight loss reached during inpatient rehabilitation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The present study protocol was registered on 13 July 2015 at German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00007879 .
authors.affiliation: Department Psychology, Counselling Psychology, University of Potsdam, Karl Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany. warschb@uni-potsdam.de.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Warschburger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000367:Age Factors; D001069:Appetite Regulation; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D000068356:Self-Control; D062410:Snacks; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014675:Vegetables; D015431:Weight Loss