Randomized Trial of Tapas Acupressure Technique® for Weight Loss Maintenance: Rationale and Study Design

Objectives: The aim of this article is to present the rationale, study design, and methods of an ongoing randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of an energy psychology intervention, Tapas Acupressure Technique ® (TAT ® ), to prevent weight regain following successful weight loss. Design: This is a randomized controlled trial. Settings/location: The study is being conducted at a large group-model health maintenance organization (HMO). Subjects: The study subjects are adult members of an HMO. Interventions: TAT is being compared to a self-directed social support comparison intervention. Outcome measures: The primary outcome measure is weight-loss maintenance at 6 and 12 months postrandomization. Conclusions: This randomized controlled trial will test the efficacy of an energy psychology intervention, TAT, by comparing it with a self-directed social support group intervention. This is, to our knowledge, the largest randomized controlled study to date of an energy psychology intervention. Positive findings would support the use of TAT as a tool to prevent weight regain following successful weight loss.