Improving Obesity Self-Care Among Mentally Ill Veterans

The purpose of this study is to find out which of two programs, MH MOVE! or the enhanced usual care MOVE! program is most effective in improving participation in and completion of MOVE! among Veterans with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. One of the treatments, MH MOVE! provides the standard MOVE! weight management program plus a workbook containing education for management of depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms to be used during 10 phone based clinician led CBT sessions. The enhanced usual care MOVE! provides the standard MOVE! weight management program plus a workbook containing education for management of depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms but not phone calls are provided.

First-time, newly enrolled participants in the MOVE! program will be targeted for treatment. Recruitment will take place utilizing flyers and MEDVAMC clinician referral. The research coordinator, PI or other study staff will attend the MOVE! assessment group and individual MOVE! sessions. During this initial contact, a recruitment letter will be read to all potential subjects. The letter will provide an overview of the study and allow potential participants the opportunity to express interest in the study. Those who are interested will be invited to sign their name to a sheet indicating their interest in the study and their willingness to undergo the initial screening for eligibility. In order to determine eligibility, patient records will be accessed for inclusion and exclusion information. Veterans who meet the inclusion criteria will be contacted to schedule a time to sign the necessary consent forms and receive the pre-treatment screening assessment forms. The pre-treatment assessment will be conducted face to face and last approximately 1 hour. During this time, the research coordinator or other study staff will review the VA consent, VA 10-3203 consent to voice recording, and VA HIPPA forms and answer any additional questions. After all questions regarding consent and study enrollment are answered, the RC or other study staff will instruct the participant to sign the consent forms. The participants will receive hard copies of the VA consent, VA 10-3203 consent to voice recording, and VA HIPPA forms that contain all required signatures. The Veteran will then be provided the intake assessment forms. These forms will gather demographic data such as age, gender, ethnicity, race, education, marital status, employment, VA disability, and military history. Veterans will be asked about medications, other therapies, and hospitalizations. Additional screening assessments will measure mental health diagnosis and symptom severity. Veterans who continue to meet the inclusion criteria will then be included into the study. Veterans who do not meet the inclusion criteria but demonstrate a need or ask for additional services from the MEDVAMC will be referred for mental health care. In the randomized controlled trial, once Veterans have been consented, they will be randomized to the MH MOVE or enhanced usual-care MOVE! treatment group. Those who are randomized to the MH MOVE! group will be administered the 6 core, 2 optional, and 2 booster depression, anxiety and PTSD focused MH MOVE! treatment module sessions via phone.