Senior Research Fellow, Dr Dawn Swancutt, has been awarded over £300,000 for a new study that builds on the well-established PROGROUP programme – a group-based treatment for people living with severe obesity.
The award is sponsored by Devon Partnership Trust and conducted in partnership with colleagues from the Universities of Exeter and Newcastle and Coventry and Warwick NHS Trust.
Responding to feedback from patients, healthcare staff and service commissioners, this study aims to adapt the 5-month PROGROUP programme for virtual delivery. It will also develop a user-friendly guide to help patients access and engage with online sessions.
In collaboration with two well-established NHS specialist weight management services, 60 patients who opt for online treatment will be recruited. This pilot will allow researchers to access the feasibility of delivering the programme remotely.
Researchers will monitor patient uptake, engagement and attendance, and gather feedback from both participants and healthcare staff. These insights will inform improvements to the online programme and guide its further implementation.
With over 5 million adults in the UK affected by severe obesity, this work represents an important step toward making effective treatment more accessible and adaptable to individual needs.
Dr Swancutt said:
“We are delighted that the needs of people living with severe obesity have been recognised by the Research for the Patient Benefit funding stream. This award comes at a crucial time for healthcare services, which are under significant pressure – particularly as changes in the availability of weight loss medications continue to dominate media headlines. Our study will support individuals making long-term lifestyle changes, whether or not they chose weight loss medication.”
Co-apps on this project include:
Professor Jonathan Pinkney, University of Plymouth
Professor Mark Tarrant, University of Plymouth
Professor Edward Meinert, University of Newcastle
Professor Rod Sheaff, University of Plymouth
Steve Perry, Independent PPI member
Dr Jenny Lloyd, University of Exeter
Professor Anne Spencer, University of Exeter
Dr Ioannois Kyrou, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust
Related publications
A group-based behavioural intervention for weight management (PROGROUP) versus usual care in adults with severe obesity: a feasibility randomised controlled trial protocol
Read the publicationAuthors
Dr Dawn Swancutt
Senior Research Fellow
Professor Mark Tarrant
Professor of Psychology