Recruiting

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous

Sponsor:

University of Connecticut

Code:

NCT06393725

Conditions

Obesity

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 65

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

Asynchronous Remote Lifestyle Intervention

Synchronous Remote Lifestyle Intervention

Study Details

Brief summary:

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a group-based digital weight loss program that is delivered asynchronously (via an online platform) is as effective as one that is delivered synchronously (via weekly videoconference meetings). In the asynchronous condition, participants can engage with their group any time 24/7. In the synchronous condition, participants can engage with their group once a week at a videoconference meeting. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Will participants in each condition lose about the same amount of weight? Will the participants in the asynchronous condition participate more than those in the synchronous condition? Will the participants in the asynchronous condition feel more connected to each other than those in the synchronous condition? Will the asynchronous condition cost less to deliver per pound lost than the synchronous condition?

Participants will:

Receive a digital weight loss program that lasts 1 year and then volunteer participants will be selected to lead the group for 1 year following the program, a phase called the "peer-led weight loss maintenance phase." Complete study assessments at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.

Conditions

Obesity

Study ID

NCT06393725

Start date

Feb 6, 2025

Status verified date

Oct, 2026

Completion date

Jun 30, 2028

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Dec 31, 2027

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 65

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • BMI 27-45
  • has Bluetooth or wifi connectivity at home (for scale)
  • goes on Facebook at least 5 days per week over the past 2 weeks
  • has posted/replied at least once a week in the past 2 weeks (per self-report)
  • has a smart phone

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnant or lactating or plans to during study period
  • bipolar disorder, substance abuse, psychosis, bulimia, binge eating disorder, or severe depression
  • had bariatric surgery or plans to during the study
  • currently taking meds affecting weight
  • lost ≥5% of weight in past 6 months
  • participating in another weight loss program or plans to during the study
  • chronic pain or medical condition that interferes with the ability to exercise
  • type 1 diabetes
  • unable to walk ¼ mile unaided without stopping
  • nicotine user

Study Design

Enrollment

378 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Prevention

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Asynchronous

This arm involves a 1 year behavioral weight loss program delivered in private Facebook groups led by a professional weight loss counselor. At the end of 1 year, volunteer participants will take over the leadership role of the group for the following year. Volunteers will receive a brief training on how to lead a private Facebook group.

active comparator: Synchronous

This arm involves a 1 year behavioral weight loss program delivered via weekly videoconference meetings led by a professional weight loss counselor. At the end of 1 year, volunteer participants will take over the leadership role of the meetings for the following year. Volunteers will receive a brief training on how to lead videoconference meetings.

Interventions

Asynchronous Remote Lifestyle Intervention

A 1 year lifestyle intervention based on the Diabetes Prevention Program to be delivered asynchronously via a private Facebook group led by a professional weight loss counselor. In the subsequent year, a Peer-Led Maintenance Phase will occur in which a participant volunteer will lead the group after receiving a brief training.

Synchronous Remote Lifestyle Intervention

A 1 year lifestyle intervention based on the Diabetes Prevention Program to be delivered synchronously via weekly videoconference group meetings led by a professional weight loss counselor. In the subsequent year, a Peer-Led Maintenance Phase will occur in which a participant volunteer will lead the group after receiving a brief training.

Primary outcome measure

  • Percent of baseline weight loss at 6 months [ Time Frame: 6 months ]
  • Percent of baseline weight loss at 12 months [ Time Frame: 12 months ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Sherry Pagoto, PhD

(860) 486-5917sherry.pagoto@uconn.edu

Locations

University of Connecticut

Recruiting

Storrs, Connecticut, United States, 06269

Contacts

Sherry Pagoto, PhD

860-486-2313sherry.pagoto@uconn.edu

Principal Investigator:

Sherry Pagoto, PhD

More Information

Sponsor

University of Connecticut

Last update posted

Nov 3, 2026

Last verified

Oct, 2026

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-11-04. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Connecticut on 2026-11-03. Recruitment status is synced daily from ClinicalTrials.gov and may not reflect the sponsor's current status. Confirm during your call.