Restricted environmental stimulation therapy in a weight reduction program

Forty-eight female volunteers, between the ages of 22 and 55 years and at least 25% overweight, participated in a weight reduction program. The program factorially varied 24 hr of restricted environmental stimulation (lying on a bed in a dark, silent room) and a set of self-management messages. The combined treatment was significantly more effective than the other three conditions during a 6 month follow-up period; the mean weight loss during the first 2 months was primarily a function of the messages, while the reduced stimulation environment effect became dominant during the last 4 months of follow-up.