Contingent therapist contact in a behavioral weight control program

Assigned 45 20-70 yr old overweight clients to 1 of 3 treatment conditions to determine whether contact with the therapist can serve as a reinforcer for the performance of behaviors involved in weight loss. Group 1 had contact with the therapist noncontingent on weight loss. Group 2 had contact with the therapist contingent on meeting weight loss goals of 2 pounds (.91 kg) each week. Group 3 had contact with the therapist if they did not meet the weight loss goals. Results show that although there were nonsignificant differences between the groups in weight loss during treatment, Group 3 regained the most during the subsequent 6 mo and had the poorest results overall. (2 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).