Emotional Impact on Health Behavior Adherence After Bariatric Surgery: What About Positive Psychological Constructs?

[Influencing Factors of Adherence to Exercise Prehabilitation in Older Patients With Colorectal Cancer: A Qualitative Study]

Objective

To investigate the influencing factors of adherence to exercise prehabilitation in older patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods

Based on the capacity, opportunity, and motivation of behavior change (COM-B) model, 12 older colorectal tumors patients undergoing elective surgeries at a tertiary-care hospital in Shanghai between August 2022 and December 2022 were enrolled for the study through purposive sampling. The respondents were involved in semi-structured interviews. Directed content analysis of their data was conducted to extract themes.

Results

A total of 3 themes and 8 sub-themes were deduced from the analysis, including capacity (physical ability to tolerate exercise intensity and psychological experience of worrying about exercise risks), opportunity (adequate information support and professional guidance and simple and feasible exercise prescriptions and prehabilitation conditions), motivation (the intrinsic drive to identify with the prehabilitation values, the positive drive of inherent exercise habits, the continuous drive of exercise benefits, and the dual inspiration of team spirit and family support). These themes and subthemes were identified as influencing factors of adherence to exercise prehabilitation in older patients with colorectal cancer.

Conclusion

Prehabilitation in older patients with colorectal cancer is influenced by multiple factors. Healthcare professionals should enhance education, develop individualized prehabilitation programs, and improve the diversified social support system to enhance patients' adherence to prehabilitation exercise and maximize the benefits of prehabilitation.

Bariatric Surgery and Psychological Health: A Randomised Clinical Trial in Patients with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

PURPOSE

This study investigated the impact of either Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with silastic ring (SR-RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) types of bariatric surgery on psychological health and explored the role of pre-existing depressive symptoms on weight loss.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 114 participants with obesity and type 2 diabetes were randomized to receive SR-RYGB or SG at a single centre. Data from the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), RAND 36-item Health Survey and body weight were collected before surgery and annually for 5 years.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients were lost to follow-up at 5 years. Of the 98 patients who completed 5-year psychological follow-up assessments, 13 had mild to severe depressive symptoms (SR-RYGB n = 6, SG n = 7). SR-RYGB and SG resulted in similar psychological health improvement but percent weight loss at 5 years was greater for SR-RYGB by 10.6% (95% CI: 7.2 to 14.0, P < 0.0001). Scores for depressive symptoms and most RAND-36 domains improved significantly from baseline to 5 years in both groups. Patients with pre-existing depressive symptoms had similar percent weight loss at 5 years compared to patients without depressive symptoms, irrespective of procedural type.

CONCLUSION

Patients receiving either SR-RYGB or SG had comparable psychosocial functioning, which was maintained to 5 years post-surgery. Pre-existing depressive symptoms did not affect weight loss achieved at 5 years. These findings confirm previous longitudinal studies demonstrating that bariatric surgery is generally associated with improved psychosocial functioning.

Participating in Bariatric Support Groups: the Effects on Self-management Changes

BACKGROUND

This study focused on changes in self-management as the main outcome of participation in bariatric psychoeducational support groups. We assessed the contribution of changes in cognitive and emotional variables to improved self-management among 155 participants.

METHOD

Data for this longitudinal study were collected at the beginning (time 1) and at the end (time 2) of the support groups' 10-session program. The structured questionnaire included self-management (the Bariatric Surgery Self-Management Behaviors Questionnaire), cognitive variables (eating self-efficacy, eating awareness, weight control motivation), and emotional variables (positive and negative affect, emotional eating), as well as background variables.

RESULTS

Significant improvements in self-management and in eating self-efficacy, eating awareness, and emotional eating were found at time 2. The hierarchical regression model showed that the improvements in eating self-efficacy, and in positive and negative affect, contributed significantly to improved self-management. Additionally, a modification effect of negative affect was found.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that participation in psychoeducational bariatric support groups is beneficial to improving one's self-management.

A Positive Emotion-Focused Intervention to Increase Physical Activity After Bariatric Surgery: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Physical activity levels after bariatric surgery are usually low, despite the significant protective health benefits of physical activity in this population. Positive psychological well-being is associated with improved adherence to health behaviors, but bariatric surgery patients often have negative associations with physical activity that prevent sustained engagement.

Objective

The Gaining Optimism After weight Loss Surgery (GOALS) pilot randomized controlled trial is aimed at testing a novel intervention to increase physical activity after bariatric surgery, which incorporates positive psychological skill-building with motivational interviewing and goal-setting.

Methods

The GOALS trial is a 2-arm, 24-week pilot randomized controlled trial that aims to enroll 58 adults who report less than 200 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity and a desire to become more active 6-12 months after bariatric surgery. GOALS is testing the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a positive psychology–motivational interviewing telephone intervention targeting to increase physical activity and associated positive affect. Intervention components include positive psychology, goal-setting, self-monitoring via provided Fitbits, and motivational interviewing to overcome barriers and increase motivation. The intervention is compared to a physical activity education control that includes mailings with psychoeducation around physical activity and provision of a Fitbit. The primary outcomes of the pilot trial are feasibility and acceptability, measured as session completion rates and participant ratings of ease and helpfulness of each session. The main secondary outcome is change in accelerometer-measured moderate to vigorous physical activity post intervention and at 24-week follow-up. Additional outcomes include changes in attitudes related to physical activity, psychological well-being, and physical health measures.

Results

This multiphase project was funded in 2020 and institutional review board approval was obtained for the proposed trial in 2021. Recruitment for the randomized controlled trial began in July 2022. Upon completion of the pilot trial, we will examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the intervention.

Conclusions

Although bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment available for severe obesity, weight regain occurs, often in the context of low psychological well-being. Many individuals would benefit from learning strategies to increase positive psychological well-being after bariatric surgery, which could help them maintain lifestyle changes. Positive psychology is a novel approach to improve adherence by increasing positive associations with health behaviors including physical activity. The GOALS pilot trial will determine whether this type of intervention is feasible and acceptable to this population and will provide a foundation for a future full-scale randomized controlled efficacy trial.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04868032; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04868032

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/39856

Self-care model and body image in adults after a bariatric surgery

OBJECTIVE

the aim of the present article was to test a self-care model explained by the relationship between self-efficacy, body image, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression in people with bariatric surgery in the city of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

METHOD

this was a correlational cross-sectional study carried out between August and December 2020. Validated instruments were administered to 102 participants to measure their self-care capacity, general self-efficacy, psychopathological symptoms, and body image perception and satisfaction. The variables of interest were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to develop a model using path analysis.

RESULT

a significant model was obtained with adequate goodness-of-fit indicators (chi-square χ2 (8) = 11.451, p = .177; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)= 0.000; goodness-of-fit index (GFI)= 0.965; comparative fit index (CFI)= 0.985; parsimonious normed fit index (PNFI)= 0.509, and Akaike information criterion (AIC)= 37.451). Self-efficacy (Zβ=0.294) and body image dissatisfaction (So= -0.376) were shown to influence self-care abilities while psychopathological symptoms influenced body dissatisfaction: obsessive-compulsive disorder (Zβ=0.370) and depression (Zβ=0.320).

CONCLUSION

adequate levels of self-efficacy and body satisfaction predict a high capacity for self-care.

Self-care model and body image in adults after a bariatric surgery

Objective:

the aim of the present article was to test a self-care model explained by the relationship between self-efficacy, body image, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression in people with bariatric surgery in the city of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

Method:

this was a correlational cross-sectional study carried out between August and December 2020. Validated instruments were administered to 102 participants to measure their self-care capacity, general self-efficacy, psychopathological symptoms, and body image perception and satisfaction. The variables of interest were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to develop a model using path analysis.

Result:

a significant model was obtained with adequate goodness-of-fit indicators (chi-square χ² (8) = 11.451, p = .177; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)= 0.000; goodness-of-fit index (GFI)= 0.965; comparative fit index (CFI)= 0.985; parsimonious normed fit index (PNFI)= 0.509, and Akaike information criterion (AIC)= 37.451). Self-efficacy (Zβ=0.294) and body image dissatisfaction (So= -0.376) were shown to influence self-care abilities while psychopathological symptoms influenced body dissatisfaction: obsessive-compulsive disorder (Zβ=0.370) and depression (Zβ=0.320).

Conclusion:

adequate levels of self-efficacy and body satisfaction predict a high capacity for self-care.

Modelo de autocuidado e imagen corporal en adultos post-cirugía bariátrica

Resumen Objetivo: probar un modelo de autocuidado explicado por la relación entre autoeficacia, imagen corporal, obsesión-compulsión y depresión en personas con cirugía bariátrica de la ciudad de Tijuana, B.C. Método: estudio transversal correlacional realizado entre agosto y diciembre de 2020. Se aplicaron instrumentos validados a 102 participantes para medir su capacidad de autocuidado, autoeficacia general, síntomas psicopatológicos, percepción y satisfacción de la imagen corporal. Las variables de interés fueron analizadas mediante estadística descriptiva y correlaciones de Pearson y Spearman para finalmente elaborar un modelo mediante análisis de ruta (Path Analysis). Resultados: se obtuvo un modelo significativo con buenos indicadores de bondad de ajuste (chi-cuadrado χ 2 (8)= 11.451, p = .177; error de aproximación raíz-media-cuadrada (RMSEA)= 0.000; índice de bondad de ajuste (GFI)= 0.965; índice de ajuste comparativo (CFI)= 0.985; índice de ajuste normado parsimonioso (PNFI)= 0.509 y criterio de información de Akaike (AIC)= 37.451). Se demostró que la autoeficacia (Zβ= 0.294) y la insatisfacción de la imagen corporal (Zβ= -0.376) tienen un efecto sobre las capacidades de autocuidado mientras que los síntomas psicopatológicos influyen sobre la insatisfacción corporal: obsesión-compulsión (Zβ= 0.370) y depresión (Zβ= 0.320). Conclusión: los niveles adecuados de autoeficacia y satisfacción corporal predicen una alta capacidad de autocuidado.

Psychological Functioning and Health Behaviors Associated with Weight Loss Patterns up to 13.7 Years After Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery produces dramatic health improvements immediately after surgery, including rapid declines in diabetes. However, less is known about its long-term effects. 124 St. Vincent Bariatric Center patients completed questionnaires on weight and psychological functioning a mean of 7.7 and 13.7 years post-surgery (T1 and T2, respectively). Because mean weight data may mask differing weight trajectories, participants were categorized based on weight over time. Most participants underwent Roux-En-Y gastric bypass (90.3%) and were Caucasian (96%), female (81.5%), and married (69.1%). Mean age at T2 was 64; mean %EWL was 64.9%. Most patients fit into one of three weight change patterns, reaching weight nadir, and regaining by T1 and then, by T2, experiencing (1) Weight Loss (n = 36), (2) Weight Maintenance (n = 37), or (3) Continued Weight Gain (n = 39). Groups differed significantly on body satisfaction, weighing frequency, and conscientiousness, with Weight Gainers significantly lower than other groups on conscientiousness and body satisfaction, and Weight Losers reporting higher frequency of weighing than Maintainers. Bariatric patients can maintain substantial weight loss and positive psychological functioning for many years post-surgery, although weight regain is associated with less body satisfaction. Conscientiousness may signify medical adherence, whereas frequent weighing may be a behavior that promotes ongoing weight loss.

Measuring Knowledge, Attitudes, and Barriers to Medication Adherence in Potential Bariatric Surgery Patients

Background

Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for the obesity epidemic, but the poor attendance and adherence rates of post-surgery recommendations threaten treatment effectiveness and health outcomes. Preoperatively, we investigated the unique contributions of clinical (e.g., medical and psychiatric comorbidities), sociodemographic (e.g., sex, age, and educational level), and psychopathological variables (e.g., binge eating severity, the general level of psychopathological distress, and alexithymia traits) on differing dimensions of adherence in a group of patients seeking bariatric surgery.

Methods

The final sample consisted of 501 patients (346 women). All participants underwent a full psychiatric interview. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess psychopathology, binge eating severity, alexithymia, and three aspects of adherence: knowledge, attitude, and barriers to medical recommendations.

Results

Attitude to adherence was associated with alexithymia (β = ˗2.228; p < 0.001) and binge eating disorder (β = 0.103; p = 0.047). The knowledge subscale was related to medical comorbidity (β = 0.113; p = 0.012) and alexithymia (β = −2.256; p < 0.001); with age (β = 0.161; p = 0.002) and psychiatric comorbidity (β =0.107; p = 0.021) manifesting in the barrier subscale.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that alexithymia and psychiatric and eating disorders impaired adherence reducing attitude and knowledge of treatment and increasing the barriers. Both patient and doctor can benefit from measuring adherence prior to surgery, with a qualitative approach shedding light on the status of adherence prior to the postsurgical phase when the damage regarding adherence is, already, done.

Factors Related to Weight Loss Maintenance in the Medium-Long Term after Bariatric Surgery: A Review

Despite bariatric surgery being the most effective treatment for obesity, some individuals do not respond adequately, especially in the long term. Identifying the predictors of correct weight maintenance in the medium (from 1 to 3 years after surgery) and long term (from 3 years and above) is of vital importance to reduce failure after bariatric surgery; therefore, we summarize the evidence about certain factors, among which we highlight surgical technique, psychological factors, physical activity, adherence to diet, gastrointestinal hormones or neurological factors related to appetite control. We conducted a search in PubMed focused on the last five years (2015–2021). Main findings are as follows: despite Roux-en-Y gastric bypass being more effective in the long term, sleeve gastrectomy shows a more beneficial effectiveness–complications balance; pre-surgical psychological and behavioral evaluation along with post-surgical treatment improve long-term surgical outcomes; physical activity programs after bariatric surgery, in addition to continuous and comprehensive care interventions regarding diet habits, improve weight loss maintenance, but it is necessary to improve adherence; the impact of bariatric surgery on the gut–brain axis seems to influence weight maintenance. In conclusion, although interesting findings exist, the evidence is contradictory in some places, and long-term clinical trials are necessary to draw more robust conclusions.