Dramatherapy for Psychological and Social Well-Being in Obesity and Bariatric Care

Sponsor
Universite du Littoral Cote d'Opale
Study ID
NCT07685483
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Bariatric Surgery
  • Eating Disorders
  • Obesity & Overweight
  • Obesity (Disorder)

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Adapted Physical Activity — BEHAVIORAL
    Standardized supervised adapted physical activity program including cardiovascular exercises, muscle strengthening, and progressive movement activities adapted to patients with obesity. The program consists of 12 sessions delivered over 6 weeks by qualified APA professionals.
  • Dramatherapy — BEHAVIORAL
    Group dramatherapy intervention including theatrical expression, role play, improvisation, breathing and relaxation exercises, body-oriented creative activities, and collective interaction aimed at improving emotional expression, body image, self-confidence, and psychosocial well-being.

Study Details

Obesity is currently a major public health challenge in France, particularly in the Hauts-de-France region, where prevalence exceeds 20% of the adult population. Bariatric surgery has considerably increased over the last two decades and is now recognized as an effective therapeutic option within a multidisciplinary care pathway. However, many patients continue to experience difficulties related to body image, emotional regulation, problematic eating behaviors, and long-term adherence to adapted physical activity (APA), which may limit the sustainability of treatment benefits. International literature highlights the importance of integrating psychological and psychosocial support alongside medical, nutritional, and physical interventions. This monocentric randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of adding dramatherapy (DT) to a standardized APA program in adult patients with obesity enrolled in medical or bariatric care pathways at the Institut de l'Obésité of Clinique ELSAN Saint-Omer (France). Participants will be randomized to receive either standard APA alone or APA combined with DT. The intervention is designed to improve emotional expression, body perception, self-confidence, psychosocial well-being, and long-term adherence to care. Dramatherapy sessions will include theatrical expression, role play, improvisation, relaxation, and body-oriented creative exercises adapted to patients with obesity. The primary objective is to evaluate the effect of DT on quality of life at the end of care, compared with APA alone, using the French version of the EQVOD questionnaire. Secondary objectives include the evaluation of eating behaviors and problematic eating regulation (TFEQ-R18, SCOFF), body image and body-related quality of life (BIQLI), self-efficacy (GSES), anxiety and depressive symptoms (BDI-II), adherence to APA programs, and anthropometric parameters such as body mass index, abdominal circumference, and body composition. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, at the end of the intervention, and at 6- and 12-month follow-up. The study also includes a complementary qualitative component based on semi-structured interviews, ethnographic observation, body mapping, and identity boxes in order to explore patients' subjective experiences, psychosocial trajectories, and perceived impact of the intervention. Quantitative and qualitative data will be analyzed using a mixed-methods approach. A total of 250 participants are expected to be included. This study seeks to provide evidence regarding the potential added value of integrating dramatherapy into obesity and bariatric care pathways.

Key Dates

First listed
Jul 6, 2026
Start date
Jun 30, 2026
Status verified
Jul 2026
Primary completion
May 31, 2029
Completion
May 31, 2029

Study Design

Enrollment
250 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Active Comparator: Adapted Physical Activity
    Participants allocated to the control group will receive the standard adapted physical activity (APA) program routinely implemented within the obesity care pathway. The intervention consists of 12 supervised sessions over 6 weeks, including cardiovascular exercises, muscle strengthening, and progressive movement activities adapted to the physical capacities and clinical condition of patients with obesity. Sessions are delivered by qualified APA professionals as part of the multidisciplinary obesity and bariatric care program.
  • Other: Adapted Physical Activity + Dramatherapy
    Participants allocated to the experimental group will receive the standard adapted physical activity (APA) program combined with a complementary dramatherapy intervention. In addition to the 12 supervised APA sessions delivered over 6 weeks, participants will take part in weekly group dramatherapy sessions led by a qualified art therapist. The intervention includes theatrical expression, role play, improvisation, breathing and relaxation exercises, body-oriented creative activities, and collective interaction aimed at improving emotional expression, body image, self-confidence, psychosocial well-being, and long-term adherence to care.

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in Quality of Life Assessed by the Échelle Qualité de Vie, Obésité et Diététique / Quality of Life, Obesity and Dietetics Global Score [ Time Frame: Baseline and end of care 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months ]

Central Contacts

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