A pilot randomized controlled trial of a physical activity and positive affect intervention after metabolic and bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a positive emotion-focused physical activity intervention for individuals with recent metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). METHOD: This pilot randomized controlled trial tested the gaining optimism after weight loss surgery (GOALS) intervention, developed and refined following the obesity-related behavioral intervention trials model. Patients with MBS in the past 6-12 months and less than 200 min/week of self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were recruited and randomized to either mailed physical activity education plus a Fitbit or the GOALS intervention (10 weekly 30-min phone sessions, Fitbit, and written manual). Participants learned positive psychology tools to increase positive emotions associated with physical activity and used behavioral strategies (e.g., goal-setting, self-monitoring) to increase physical activity. The primary outcomes were feasibility (percentage of intervention sessions completed) and acceptability (participant ratings of session ease and utility on 0-10 Likert scales). Other outcomes assessed at baseline, 10, and 24 weeks included accelerometer-measured physical activity, physical activity attitudes, psychological, and obesity-related outcomes. We ran mixed-effects regression models and calculated effect sizes. RESULTS: = 1.0); psychological well-being did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The GOALS intervention has promise for physical activity promotion post-MBS and should be tested for efficacy in a fully powered trial. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).