Effects of psychosocial interventions on dietary pathology in patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

The effects of psychosocial interventions on dietary pathology and weight loss in patients undergoing Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) remain uncertain. Moreover, the timing and form of psychosocial interventions appeared to influence outcomes. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs) to investigate the effects of psychosocial interventions on dietary pathology and weight loss in patients undergoing MBS, as well as explore the potential moderators. We searched five scientific databases (Cochrane, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science) for articles published up to May 27, 2023. The research quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. The meta-analysis was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under Registry#: CRD42021275095.Fifteen RCTs were included, representing a total sample size of 1191. Overall, the results showed that psychosocial interventions had a significantly positive effect on uncontrolled eating and emotional eating in patients with MBS. Regarding weight change, there was no significant difference in the effects of BMI, weight loss, %TWL, and %EWL. Subgroup analysis revealed that the effect of psychosocial interventions on uncontrolled eating and emotional eating was significantly moderated by intervention timing and treatment form.Therefore, psychosocial interventions improved dietary pathology in patients with MBS, and their effects were influenced by moderators such as intervention timing and treatment form. However, no significant effect of psychosocial interventions on weight outcomes was observed.