Methods
Study overview
This study will be randomised, multi-centre interventional, in overweight and obese patients, with a follow-up of 26 months.
The overall goal of IMOAP study is to assess whether the efficacy of the healthcare professionals' usual practices, together with a motivational group intervention (delivered by a nurse trained by an expert psychologist), is more effective than an isolated traditional intervention on weight loss and its maintenance in overweight and obese patients. Furthermore, the study will evaluate whether this result has a positive impact on quality of life, changes in eating habits, and a reduction in the associated cardiovascular risk factors and overall cardiovascular risk.
Table
1 presents the timeline of the study. Protocol development, external review occurred over an initial 4-month period beginning in 2007.
Table 1
Timetable of the IMOAP trial
1 | 4 | 01/07-04/07 | Protocol development. |
2 | 8 | 05/07-12/07 | Acceptance to participate of Basic Health Areas. |
3 | 2 | 01/08-02/08 | Distribution and randomisation of the Basic Health Areas into both groups: Intervention/controls. For those BHA that will visit the intervention groups, training of nursing staff and coordinating the teams, creating templates and study protocols. |
4 | 30 | 03/08-09/10 | Main trial recruitment and follow-up |
5 | 26 | 10/10-12-12 | Follow-up only |
6 | 4 | 12/12-04/13 | Analysis and reporting |
A second phase had the purpose of the acceptance to participate of Basic Health Areas.
For this, the coordinators have contacted the Basic Health Areas, to explain the protocol and confirm their participation. After this period, it has been the distribution and randomisation into the study groups: Intervention/controls. For those BHA that will visit the intervention groups, it has been done the training of nursing staff and coordinating the teams, creating templates and study protocols.
The training of the nursing staff has consisted in a basic training strategy, initially aimed at nurses and focusing on group motivation for life-style changes in overweight and obese patients, because lack of motivation is a common cause of therapeutic failure. The training has consisted of a number of workshops where role play techniques have taken place to help assimilate the concepts taught. This workshop has been delivered at the BHA of the intervention group and written material delivered regarding the content. Secondly, a written guide has been created to standardise the information the nurses provide during the overweight and obesity check-up visits. The guide includes information about the disease, healthy habits and diet.
Randomization into the study began in first trimester 2008, with a recruitment goal of 1,200 participants. The intervention and main trial recruitment will take place over 30 months with the patients in the intervention and control groups.
Finally, four months before the end of the project the final laboratory tests will be performed and the data collected for statistical analysis and reporting.
The first patient was entered on September 2008. The final visit for the last randomized participant is planned for the last trimester 2010, with final study reports expected in the first trimester of 2013.
Selection of the study subjects
The IMOPAP inclusion and exclusion criteria are presented in Table
2. These criteria have been established to identify a trial population with overweight and obesity, and with sufficient statistical power with the proposed sample size. They will be included sequentially, from the beginning of the study. To avoid possible bias in the selection of patients, and not overburden the nursing staff, patient recruitment and follow up will be rolled out in stages during the first six months of the study to the first two patients who meet the study inclusion requirements and who present none of the exclusion criteria. This will carry out superior quality control, using smaller sample size than would be possible if we randomised the patients. The institutional review Ethics Committee of Jordi Gol i Gurina Foundation in Barcelona approved the conduct of the study. In addition, the study has been done in compliance with the Helsinki Declaration. Each IMOAP participant has provided written informed consent using procedures reviewed and approved by the EECC review board.
Table 2
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria
|
1. Overweight (BMI>25) and obese (BMI>30) patients of both genders, registered in the medical history (MH) or recently diagnosed. |
2. Aged between 30 and 70 years |
3. Agreement to participate in the study |
Exclusion criteria
|
1. Patients with severe clinical pathology (bedridden, dementia, advanced neoplasia, etc.) |
2. Patients with secondary obesity (hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, etc) |
3. Patients with severe sensorial disorders capable of interfering with the motivational intervention (severe, uncorrected deafness, severe visual deficit, etc). |
4. Patients with serious psychiatric disorders |
Measurements
A wide range of interview, physical examination, and laboratory data are being collected (Table
3), with the frequency of measurement varying by group assignment, but at least at baseline, at one year and at the end of the trial. The weight measurement will be done always in the same conditions (the patient wearing underwear only, barefoot, and at the same time of day). Body Mass Index (BMI) will be calculated as: Weight in kilos divided by height in square metres W (kg)/H (m2). Waist measurement will be defined as the midline between the edge of the lowest rib and the iliac crest alongside the anterosuperior iliac spine, in cm. The cardiovascular risk factors will also be assessed: Hypertension will be defined as either blood pressure readings of above 140/90 on three occasions, (in diabetics, above 130/80); or patients receiving treatment for hypertension or with a clinical diagnosis of hypertension; Diabetes Mellitus: By case history or two prandial glycaemia readings > 126 mg/dl; -Smoking: packets year.
1. Questionnaires |
a. Sociodemographics: age, ethnicity, sex. |
b. Detailed initial medical history; abbreviated interval history focused on eligibility criteria, CVD, smoking status and diabetes mellitus. Inter-current processes: diseases, level of care they have received, start and end of the process. |
c. Concomitant medications: |
d. Quality of life and food assessment through SF questionnaire 36 validated in Spain by Alonso [ 24] |
e. Dietary survey, 3 day record, (quantitative and qualitative) at the beginning and end of the study [ 25]. |
f. Questionnaire drafted specifically for this study, described in table 4. |
2. Physical examination measures |
a. Anthropometric measurements: standing height in centimetres (cm), weight in kg, waist circumference |
b. BP and pulse |
3. Laboratory measures |
a. Fasting serum glucose |
b. Fasting lipid panel (Total Cholesterol, HDL-Cholesterol, LDL- Cholesterol) |
Quality of life and food assessment through SF questionnaire 36 validated in Spain by Alonso [
24], and dietary survey, 3 day record, (quantitative and qualitative) at the beginning and end of the study [
25].
A questionnaire, drafted specifically for this study, and administered by the participating nurse, gathers the variables mentioned.
Outcomes
The primary endpoint for the IMOAP is to assess whether the efficacy of the healthcare professionals' usual practices, together with a motivational group intervention (delivered by a nurse trained by an expert psychologist), is more effective than an isolated traditional intervention on weight loss and its maintenance in overweight and obese patients.
This will be calculated as the percentage of patients reducing their weight by 5% and maintenance over time. The strategies for facing change and working in the groups [
26‐
28] consist in providing information and practical advice on modifying eating habits, starting or increasing regular physical activity, lifestyle changes, functioning of the metabolism, management of the obesity and its complications, smoking as a cardiovascular risk factor, food diary, shopping methods and, finally, the number of calories to ingest.
Groups will be made up according to the following criteria: mixed, women and men, aged between 30 and 70 years, and a maximum 15 and minimum 7 members per group. Each nurse could manage 3 different groups (1 per month). The random assignment of the intervention will be done at the primary care Basic Health Areas (BHA), in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, neighbouring areas and Barcelona city. Two groups will be formed in separate centres, one of which will receive the motivational group intervention (intervention group) and the other the standard treatment (control group). To prevent possible bias, the BHA located in the same building will be assigned to the same group (control or intervention). The participating healthcare professional (nurse) will select the first two patients with visits during the pre-established recruitment period, who met the study criteria.
Intervention control group
Participants will follow the usual intervention, according to the protocols in each centre, as it is described elsewhere [
8]. The visits will be done every 3 months, including advice on life-style changes, physical exercise, hypo caloric diet, containing 1,200-1,500 kcal and anthrometric measurements (weight, height and waist perimeter). Follow up of blood tests by a healthcare professional will be done at the beginning, at one year and at the end of the study. In additional file
1 it is described the content of their visits.
Motivational intervention in the intervention group
Participants will follow the usual intervention, the same as in the control group, plus a group motivational intervention every 15 days, at the initial weeks 1 and 12 of the intervention, following the LEARN (Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitudes, relationships and Nutrition) programme [
12] and then monthly at weeks 13 and 32, following the instructions of the Weight Maintenance Survival Guide programme [
13]. Each session would last for one hour, for a 26 month follow up period, with a total of 32 interventions, as described in Table
4. Request for blood test at the start, at one year and at the end (3-year study duration). In additional file
2 it is described contents of the visit.
Table 4
32 group sessions of the intervention.
In sessions 1 to 4 (fortnightly) we should raise awareness among the patients of the benefits of changing their habits, which will allow us to move from the "pre-contemplation" to the "contemplation" stage. |
To do this we must provide them with ample information about the benefits of change, the recommended diets which will be dealt with individually with the nurse or doctor, physical exercise, etc. |
This will be reinforced with the instructions given to individuals. |
1. We will explore their fears, earlier failures, worries and difficulties that prevent them from taking the decision. |
2. We will help sort out their doubts about unhealthy behaviour or habits to encourage life style changes towards a healthier life. |
3. We will give them the tools they need to face situations where their usual strategies have failed. |
4. We will encourage the patient to move towards the desire to change, attempting to help them recognise and take care of their present and future problems and strengthening their perception of the effects. |
5. We will work on the patients' resistance. |
In sessions 5 to 12 (fortnightly) we will have dispelled the patients' doubts and they will feel motivated to make a change to healthy habits and be committed to continuing with the programme. |
We will then move into the "determination" stage |
1. Reinforce the patient's self-motivational affirmations. |
2. Point out the positive and negative aspects of the behaviour to suppress, the old and the new to be acquired. |
3. Elaborate on these by asking for examples, clarifying the how, when, why... |
4. Use extremes and image the best and worst results of the changes as well as their possible consequences. |
5. Look backwards and/or forwards. Visualise with the patient what it was like before and how he/she thinks, he/she is going to feel once he/she has given up this unhealthy habit. |
6. Explore the feelings associated with the change (fear, anxiety, etc) |
7. Explore if he has help and support from a partner/family. |
8. Strengthen the active role the patient has in the change. |
9. Understand the resistance to change. |
10. Help develop strategies. |
11. Develop a joint action plan |
12. Combat feelings of loss caused by the change. |
In sessions 13 to 32 (monthly) work with "changes" and "maintenance". |
1. Bolster the capacity to change |
2. Encourage the patients to give their own reasons. |
3. Increase the consciousness towards change. |
4. Understand the stress these changes in habits cause in the patients |
5. Reinforce the benefits of change. |
6. Bolster self-efficacy. |
7. Support the changes. |
8. Boost each member's capacity to make a change. |
9. Understand the patients' emotions and thoughts. |
10. Give empathetic responses. |
11. Assist with the expression of feelings and emotions. |
12. Prevent relapses through exploration |
13. Identify risky situations and find strategies for dealing with them. |
14. Support the work and efforts made and the benefits of change and maintenance of their decision. |
Objectives of the psychological support
Table
5 describes the main objectives proposed for the interventional group, aimed to facilitate the awareness and compliance with a series of requirements for lifestyle changes that will reinforce the medical follow up by creating intervention groups with psychological support to be conducted by nursing staff (previously trained by expert psychologists), [
26,
27]:
Table 5
Objectives of the physcological support:
•Give patients the opportunity to explain their difficulties, to achieve the required objectives. |
•Share their experiences and feelings with one another from their group team. |
•Enable the appearance and elaboration on the anxiety that arises with lifestyle changes. |
•Reinforce the changes made. |
•Explain the benefits of these new attitudes. |
•Clear up any doubts. |
•Induce shared positive reinforcement. |
The Stages through which the patient passes before taking the decision to change his or her habits, following the Prochaska model [
29], are described in Table
6.
Table 6
Stages in the intervention group:
A) Pre- contemplation | 1. Give the patient plenty of advice 2. Guide the patient in relation to the programme 3. Get commitment through the motivational interview. 4. Evaluate the willingness and motivation to make changes. |
B) Contemplation | 1. Evaluate willingness and motivation to make the changes 2. Get a realistic commitment through the motivational interview 3. Reach an agreed decision to change behaviour and habits. |
C) Preparation for action | 1. Create an action plan within the group, adapting this to individual possibilities 2. Invite the family to collaborate. |
D) Action | 1. Introduce initiation of prevention of relapses during the group sessions. 2. Introduce advice, educational activities about healthy eating habits and smoking. 3. Include reinforcement for achievements. |
E) Maintenance | 1. Introduce maintenance of prevention of relapses during the group sessions 2. Maintain the reinforcement for the achievements made, highlighting the health benefits. |
Sample size calculation
The number of subjects necessary to divide into two independent groups has been calculated. With the standard intervention, a weight reduction of 5% of weight is expected (P1) [
30,
31]. It was predicted that the experimental intervention would lead to 75% of the patients reducing their weight by 5%. It will be assumed an alpha risk of 0.05 (bilateral hypothesis) and a beta risk of 0.20 (a potential 80%). If the interventions will be assigned individually, in other words, per patient, the number of patients in each group would be 328 (756 in total). If we assume a percentage loss of 20% and apply a correction according to the formula Na = N [1/1-R)] where N is the theoretical number of subjects, Na is the corrected number of subjects and R is the expected proportion of loss, a total of 946 patients would be necessary. Given that the assignment of the interventions will be done by BHA, we had to increase the sample size because of the design effect [
28]; if 24 BHA (clusters) were to participate, 12 per type of information, it would be K = [m(1-CCI)]/[Z-(CCI × m)] where K = number of subjects per cluster, m = 473 patients per intervention, Z = number of clusters per type of intervention = 12 and ICC = intra-class correlation coefficient. We assumed that the basic ICC for the percentage of obese patients who would reduce their weight by 5% was 0.005. The number of patients in each BHA (Cluster) would be 50. 50 subjects × 12 BHA = 600 patients per arm or type of intervention. 600 subjects × 2 interventions = a total of 1,200 patients.
Statistical analysis
A descriptive statistical analysis will be made according to the variables. For the quantitative variables, using the mean and standard deviation, for the qualitative ones, proportions will be used. The data analysis will include an evaluation of the initial comparability of the patients in the two types of intervention using bivariate techniques: The Chi-Square for the proportions and, in the case of the mean, the Student's t-distribution or its non-parametric equivalent when necessary, by point estimation with a confidence interval of 95%.
The hypothesis to compare will be the null hypothesis, defined as equal efficacy of the usual and experimental interventions (both interventions achieved a weight loss of 5% in the same proportion of patients). The possible difference in efficacy between the interventions will be carried out through an analysis based on the individual values of the patients using multilevel statistical techniques [
32].
Acknowledgements
Supported by grants of 'Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias de la Seguridad Social, FIS (PI 070087). We thank all participating GPs for their cooperation, Ferran Flor for statistical advice and Institut Català de la Salut, for the collaboration in the laboratory analysis. We also want to thank to the investigators participant in the IMOAP trial:
Àrea Bàsica Salut (ABS) Florida Sud (L'Hospitalet de Llobregat - Barcelona): Juan José Rodríguez Cristóbal, José Ma Pérez Santos, Ma José González Burguillos*, Margarita Solanes Casas, MaCarmen Esparrach Casasses, Ana Ma Diez Tino, Marta Delclos Baulies, Elida Quillama Torres. ABS Florida Nord: Ma Del Carmen Mpa Sifuko, Carmen Morillo Godoy*, Teresa Gonzalez Nogales. ABS Bellvitge: Montse Blanco Rodriguez*, Gemma Luna Redondo, Adela Gonzalez Sierra, Trinidad Mejías Serrano, Oscar Sanchez Soro, Jorge Fernandez Ruiz, Eugenia Herrador Delso, Begoña Barnés Sánchez, Anna Comabella Cueco, Teresa Ruso Bernardo, Margarida Guino Royo, Yolanda Ginés Sánchez, ABS Sta Eulàlia Nord: Conrada Benitez Saiz, Fuensanta Mesa Aranda, Remedios Montes Velayos, Concepción Gonzalez Perez, Antonio Gomez Navarro, María Ramos Sanchez, Mònica Cano Lopez, Sandra Laborda Lopez, Isabel Gavin Blasco*, Carmen Lopez Sanchez, Eva Mon López, Aurora López Galán, Ma Carmen Muñoz Duque, Fina Arroyo Blesa. ABS Sta Eulàlia Sud: Mercedes Escudero Hernandez, Irene Pardo Escudero, Marife Alvarez Rodriguez, Bartolomé Rodriguez Lozano, Antonio Aranta Diaz. ABS St. Josep: Vicky Cabré Aguilar, Enric García Gomila, Roser Llort Rañe, Ana María Gil Colome, Julia Mena Sánchez, Mercedes Bielsa Alquezar, Raul Miguel Capillas Perez*. ABS Torrassa: Mercè Aliaga Ugarte, Rosario Fernandez Perez, Maria Isabel Muñoz Castanedo*, Montserrat Peraferrer Puigpelet, Carme Llorens Martinez, Miriam Montserrat Vinals, Ma Victòria Gomez Moral, Sacri Gutierrez Mesa. ABS Can Serra: Eduvigis Abril Escusa*, Almudena Gonzalez Casado, Montserrat Pérez Gañan, Ma Isabel García Villaplana, Magdalena Ortilles Tejera, Ágata Sala Sastre, Ma Dolores Leon Varo. ABS Gornal: Ma Carmen Gonzalez Sanchez, Rosa Gutierrez Lengua*. ABS Centre: Neus Lopez Ojeda*, Concepción Torralba Casado. ABS Pubilla Casas: Leonor Blasco Villanueva, Anna Gasol Farga, Montserrat Comelles Villalba, Carmen Contreras García*, Araceli Monge Escribano, Rosa Mas de Miguel Pérez, Isabel Ortega Abarca, Sonia Martínez Carmona, Rosa Gonzalez Diaz, Anna de Mon er de Castellano, Montserrat Bonfill Gavaldà, Rosalia Santesmases Masana, Eva Beltran.
ABS Martí Julià (Cornellà de Llobregat - Barcelona): Angeles Toledano Perez, Alicia Rodríguez Pérez, MaDolores Rodriguez Magallanes*, Cinta Boix Cervera, Alicia Rodriguez Perez, Gloria Mercè Martorell, Manuel Baullon Rodríguez. ABS El Plà (St Feliu de Llobregat - Barcelona): Montserrat Sanchez*, Linarejos Jurado Vergara, Elena López Pérez, Ma Isabel Plaza Vicente. ABS Verdum (Barcelona): Glòria Tintoré Jiménez-Fortín*, Ma Engracia Valbuena, Yolanda Espinosa. ABS Prosperitat: Pilar Tarragó Espí, Ma Carmen Lamuedra Martínez; Juan Ramón Morón Bermejo, Amparo Bonet Bernabeu, Francisca Benavides*, Cristina Martín Sierra, Antonio Botey Serrano, Mónica Castro Pérez, Vicenta Estrada Mir, Antonia Ferre Codina, Rosana Coma. ABS Porta: Rosa Mené, Lidia Pujol Ramírez, Ma Engracia Aliguer Masramon, Montserrat Piñeiro Casaus, Teresa Giró Molmer. ABS Dr. Carles Ribas: Susana Morgade Gonzalez, Manuel Mendez Fernandez, Ma Rosario Madico Cerezo, Ramona Ortiz Secanell, Mercedes Liroz Navarro*, Gemma Capdevila Fogués, Gemma Roig i Ribas, Ma Jesús Valderas Sanchez. ABS Via Roma: Lydia Riba Bellera, Carmen Ubierna Gomez, Montse Roc Laborda, Marisol Rilova Perez, Maria José Morro Vevel, Anna Pérez Alberti, Ma Teresa Isidro Barbero, Teresa Serrano Demarco, Montserrat Medina Sacristan*, Guadalupe Fernández Esteve. ABS Universitat: Elisabeth Fontoba Nadal*, Luis Malvas Garcia, Marisa Torres Segura, Enric Pons Segales, Anna Manzanares Janini, Francesca Pablo Gil. ABS St Elies: Ma Jesús Freixas Pascual*, Ma Rosina Crespo López, Ma José Borrell Mestre, Ma Esther Calero Molina, Silvia Gonzalez Rodríguez. ABS St. Antoni: Ma Concepción López Canfranc, Ma Emilia Velasco Vicente, Ma Teresa Fuertes Rodríguez, Montse Bosc, Àngels Arévalo Garcia, Ma Antonia Viloca Llobet, Ana Sánchez Alvarez, Iluminada Perea Martinez, Julia T Mayta Taica, Charo Fuentes Roldan, Ma Antonia Cuesta Pipson, Gloria Paris Puigcerver, Ma Antonia Fernández, Isabel Ginés. ABS Vallcarca: David Garcia Bonias, Artur Daleo i Pibernat, Miriam Payan Cruz, Antoni Blasco Trabado, Maite Alvarez Castella, Esther Llauradó Sanclemente, Marga Mendez-Aguirre Guitian, Rosa Ma Yrla Figueras, Àngels Ballester Adell, Manuel Campiñez Navarro, Isabel Martínez Pascual, Esperanza Palacios Teruel, Nieves Barragán Brun, Palmira Villafuerte Navarro, Rosario Jiménez Leal, Rosario Corral Antón, Oscar Rochera López, Remedios Martin Alvarez, Yolanda Gomez Escudero, Ma Mercedes Garcia Fuentes. ABS Rec Comptal - Casc Antic: Montserrat Alegret *, Mireia Sánchez Zaragoza, Amparo Romera Cabezas, Lilia Villagrasa Romerales, Teresa Benítez Camacho, Montserrat Ventura Albadalejo, Dolores Marín Perales, Magda Elías Hernández, Rosa Solé Sancho. * main investigator.
Authors' contributions
JJRC formulated the research question, designed the study and supervised its conduct together with JPR, CAV and JPS. AML has been involved in drafting the manuscript. FRC, FBM, PMM, MJGB, MDB, DBF and EQT have monitored the nurses. All the authors approved the final manuscript.