Weight reduction as a function of negative covert reinforcement (sensitization) versus positive covert reinforcement

The use of covert or imaginal procedures for weight reduction was evaluated using both positive covert reinforcement and negative (covert sensitization) in group treatment. The results indicate that both of these groups had significantly greater weight losses than a minimal treatment control group. Although the covert, positive reinforcement group did not significantly differ from the negative, its mean weight loss (in lbs) was greater at the end of the four week program. Both groups showed a further weight loss at a three month follow-up, although the changes in mean loss were not statistically significant. The control group, on the other hand, lost a significant amount of weight between the end of treatment and follow-up. However, at follow-up both positive and negative groups still had significantly greater weight losses than the control.