Adherence to, and Satisfaction with, the Self-Acupressure Intervention in the LIFE Weight-Loss Maintenance Study

The LIFE study was a randomized controlled trial assessing the impact of a self-acupressure intervention, Tapas Acupressure Technique® (TAT®), on weight-loss maintenance. The primary analysis showed no significant difference between TAT and social support (SS) for weight-loss maintenance, while exploratory post hoc tests suggested that, among participants with highest initial weight-loss, those in the TAT condition regained less weight than those in the SS condition.

The aim of the current study was to assess adherence to, and satisfaction with, the experimental self-acupressure intervention in the LIFE weight loss maintenance trial.

This was a secondary analysis of adherence and satisfaction patterns in a large randomized controlled trial.

The study was conducted at a prominent health maintenance organization in the Pacific Northwest.

This study involved 142 obese participants who had lost >10 pounds in a conventional weight-loss program and who were randomized to the experimental acupressure intervention.

The experimental intervention (n=142) arm consisted of instruction and application of a self-acupressure intervention, the Tapas Acupressure Technique^® (TAT^®).

The outcome sought was self-reported satisfaction and frequency of TAT practice.

Sixty-six percent of TAT participants attended at least 6 of 8 intervention sessions. More than 80% of participants reported practicing TAT at home, on average, at least 2 days per week. Sixty two percent reported practicing <10 minutes per session, while 27% reported practicing 10-20 minutes per session. Higher satisfaction scores were significantly correlated with less weight regain (p=0.001). Frequency of TAT practice was not significantly associated with changes in weight, stress, insomnia, depression, or quality of life.

These data suggest moderate acceptance of, and adherence to, the TAT intervention. Further research is required to identify and achieve optimal home-practice levels of self-acupressure techniques.