Group Skills Training for Body Awareness and Managing Emotions
This study is looking into a new group program for people living with obesity to help them understand their body and feelings better. It's based on something called polyvagal theory, which encourages you to pay attention to how your body works and the messages it sends. Often, people with obesity find it hard to recognise signals like hunger or emotions, which can lead to habits like emotional eating. This program teaches skills to notice these body sensations and trust them, so you can respond in healthier ways. We want to see if this group training, delivered through the NHS, can improve body awareness and emotional control. Taking part means joining an online group and completing questionnaires over about 16 weeks.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This study is designed to help people living with obesity become more aware of what's happening inside their bodies and better manage their emotions. Sometimes, it can be tricky for individuals to notice and understand their body's signals, such as feeling hungry, full, or different emotions. When these internal signals are hard to read, it can sometimes lead to difficulties with managing emotions, and might even contribute to behaviours like emotional eating.
The research focuses on a new teaching approach called "polyvagal-informed skills training." This approach encourages you to get curious about how your nervous system works and to pay attention to your body's sensations. The idea is that by understanding these inner signals better, you can learn to respond to them in healthier ways. This study aims to see if this new group program, offered within an NHS specialist weight management service, can help people improve their body awareness and their ability to control their emotions.
Over roughly 16 weeks, participants will join an online group for six sessions and complete some online questionnaires. We'll be comparing how people feel and respond before, during, and after the training to understand if the program is effective and if any positive changes last over time. Everything will be done online, making it convenient to participate from home.
Key takeaways
- Learn skills to understand your body and emotions better.
- Specifically designed for people living with obesity.
- Entirely online, making it convenient and accessible.
- Lasts up to 16 weeks, including group sessions and follow-up.
- Your participation is voluntary and won't affect your NHS care.
Who may be eligible?
To join this study, you need to be an adult between 18 and 65 years old. You should already be using the NHS Specialist Weight Management Service at Ashford and St Peter's. It's important to be able to speak, read, and write English well, and to have access to a device with internet for online questionnaires and video calls.
We are looking for people who are thinking about making changes to their health, or who are already actively trying to make changes or have successfully made some. If you feel you're not yet ready to consider making changes, this study might not be the right fit for you at this time.
You should not be currently receiving other psychological therapy specific to skills training during the study period. Also, if you have a history of certain brain injuries, thinking difficulties, or are experiencing thoughts of self-harm, unfortunately, you would not be able to take part.
- Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
- Are you currently receiving care from the NHS Specialist Weight Management Service at Ashford and St Peter's?
- Do you feel ready or actively working towards health changes?
- Do you have good English skills for reading, writing, and speaking?
- Do you have a device with internet access and a camera for online groups?
This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, the study will last for up to 16 weeks in total. Everything will be done online, so you won't need to visit a clinic in person. You'll start by completing some online questionnaires for either 2 or 3 weeks (this will be decided randomly). After this initial period, you'll join a group for six online skills training sessions over about nine weeks. These sessions will be held weekly at first, then every two weeks.
Throughout the study, you'll be asked to complete a few short online questionnaires every day, and some longer ones once a week. These help us understand how you're feeling and how the training is helping. After the group sessions finish, you'll continue to complete these questionnaires for another four weeks, which helps us see if the positive changes continue or develop further. You'll need access to a device with a camera and internet for the online video group sessions and for completing the questionnaires.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Ashford and St Peter's Hospital NHS Foundation TrustAshford, United Kingdom
Common questions
What is 'polyvagal theory'?
It's a way of understanding how your body's nervous system affects your feelings and how you react to things. It focuses on helping you notice and respond to your body's signals.
Do I need to go to a clinic for this study?
No, everything for this study, including the group sessions and questionnaires, will be done online from your home.
How long will I need to commit?
The study lasts for up to 16 weeks in total, which includes an initial period, the group sessions, and a follow-up period.
Will I have to take any new medication?
No, this study is about skills training and does not involve any medication.
What if I decide I don't want to continue?
You are free to leave the study at any point, and your decision won't affect your ongoing care with the NHS.
How to find out more
Jodie S Ferris
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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