Physical Activity Adoption and Maintenance Among Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Trial of Peer Mentoring

Abstract Background Peer support can extend the reach of physical activity (PA) interventions. In previous studies, peer support via weekly counseling calls increased PA at 3 and 6 months among breast cancer survivors, compared to contact control. However, effects were attenuated at 6 months. Interventions targeting PA maintenance among cancer survivors are limited. Hence, we extended prior work to identify effective PA maintenance interventions. Purpose Following a 3-month PA intervention, the study compared the effects of three 6-month interventions on PA at 12 months. Methods One hundred and sixty-one inactive breast cancer survivors participated in a 12-month randomized controlled trial. Intervention delivery was uniform for the first 3-months: all participants received a weekly call with their peer coach to encourage PA. Following month 3, participants self-monitored PA and received feedback reports (Reach Plus) or additionally received, a monthly phone call (Reach Plus Phone), or weekly text message (Reach Plus Message). Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was measured using self-report (7 Day PAR) and accelerometry at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Results At 3 months, there were significant within group increases in self-reported and objectively measured MVPA with no between-group differences (ps > .05). At 6 months, adjusted longitudinal models showed that Reach Plus Message reported an additional 23.83 (SD = 6.33, f2 = .12) min/week of MVPA and Reach Plus Phone reported an additional 18.14 min/week (SD = 5.15, f2 =.16) versus Reach Plus. Results were similar at 9 months. At 12 months, Reach Plus Message and Reach Plus Phone both out-performed Reach Plus (ps = .04 and .05 respectively and effect sizes f2 = .11 and f2 = .21 respectively). Accelerometer data showed similar patterns: Reach Plus Message and Reach Plus Phone out-performed Reach Plus at 6 (f2 = .20) and 9 months (f2 = .09). Conclusion Phone calls from peer mentors and text messaging can support PA maintenance among breast cancer survivors. Clinical Trial information ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT02694640.

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A Group Dynamics-Based Exercise Intervention to Improve Physical Activity Maintenance in Breast Cancer Survivors

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2018-0667 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (9) ◽

pp. 785-791

Author(s):

Heather J. Leach ◽

Katie B. Potter ◽

Mary C. Hidde

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Group Dynamics ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Group Cohesion ◽

Self Report

Background: To maintain increases in physical activity (PA), interventions that implement group dynamics principles and strategies with the intent of enhancing group cohesion may be advantageous. This study examined group cohesion and PA following a group dynamics-based PA intervention among breast cancer survivors. Methods: The study was designed as a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing an 8-week group dynamics-based intervention with an individually supervised intervention. Group cohesion was measured by the Physical Activity Group Environment Questionnaire, and PA was measured at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up using a self-report questionnaire and pedometer. Results: Group cohesion levels were high following the intervention and positively associated with PA at 3-month follow-up (ranger = .182–.555). At 3-month follow-up, 91.7% of participants in the group-dynamics-based intervention (n = 12) were classified as moderately active or greater, compared with 54.5% in the individually supervised intervention (n = 11). Conclusions: These results suggest that, for breast cancer survivors, peer support and fostering group cohesion as part of an exercise program may help to support PA following the completion of a structured intervention. A larger trial with longer follow-up is needed to establish comparative efficacy for a group-dynamics-based exercise intervention to enhance long-term PA adherence in breast cancer survivors.

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A Lifestyle Intervention via Email in Minority Breast Cancer Survivors: Randomized Parallel-Group Feasibility Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.7495 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Raheem J Paxton ◽

Richard Hajek ◽

Patricia Newcomb ◽

Megha Dobhal ◽

Sujana Borra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Ethnic Minority ◽

Lifestyle Intervention ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Web Based ◽

Phone Calls ◽

Racial And Ethnic Minority ◽

The Web

BACKGROUND Our data have indicated that minority breast cancer survivors are receptive to participating in lifestyle interventions delivered via email or the Web, yet few Web-based studies exist in this population. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and preliminary results of an email-delivered diet and activity intervention program, “A Lifestyle Intervention Via Email (ALIVE),” delivered to a sample of racial and ethnic minority breast cancer survivors. METHODS Survivors (mean age: 52 years, 83% [59/71] African American) were recruited and randomized to receive either the ALIVE program’s 3-month physical activity track or its 3-month dietary track. The fully automated system provided tools for self-monitoring and goal setting, tailored content, and automated phone calls. Descriptive statistics and mixed-effects models were computed to examine the outcomes of the study. RESULTS Upon completion, 44 of 71 survivors completed the study. Our “intention-to-treat” analysis revealed that participants in the physical activity track made greater improvements in moderate to vigorous activity than those in the dietary track (+97 vs. +49 min/week, P<.001). Similarly, reductions in total sedentary time among those in the physical activity track (−304 vs. −59 min/week, P<.001) was nearly 5 times greater than that for participants in the dietary track. Our completers case analysis indicated that participants in the dietary track made improvements in the intake of fiber (+4.4 g/day), fruits and vegetables (+1.0 cup equivalents/day), and reductions in saturated fat (−2.3 g/day) and trans fat (−0.3 g/day) (all P<.05). However, these improvements in dietary intake were not significantly different from the changes observed by participants in the physical activity track (all P>.05). Process evaluation data indicated that most survivors would recommend ALIVE to other cancer survivors (97%), were satisfied with ALIVE (82%), and felt that ALIVE was effective (73%). However, survivors expressed concerns about the functionality of the interactive emails. CONCLUSIONS ALIVE appears to be feasible for racial and ethnic minority cancer survivors and showed promising results for larger implementation. Although survivors favored the educational content, a mobile phone app and interactive emails that work on multiple email domains may help to boost adherence rates and to improve satisfaction with the Web-based platform. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02722850; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02722850 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6tHN9VsPh)

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Peer support for physical activity adoption among breast cancer survivors: Do the helped resemble the helpers?

European Journal of Cancer Care ◽

10.1111/ecc.12849 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. e12849 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

M.M. DeMello ◽

B.M. Pinto ◽

S. Mitchell ◽

S.I. Dunsiger ◽

K. Stein

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Peer Support ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors

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Study protocol for a nationwide questionnaire survey of physical activity among breast cancer survivors in Japan

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032871 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. e032871

Author(s):

Yoichi Shimizu ◽

Katsunori Tsuji ◽

Eisuke Ochi ◽

Hirokazu Arai ◽

Ryo Okubo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Population Distribution ◽

Self Report ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

IntroductionA major concern is that few cancer survivors meet the guidelines for recommended levels of physical activity. No studies have investigated physical activity among breast cancer survivors nationwide in Japan. Therefore, the aims of this study are to identify the levels of physical activity among breast cancer survivors, to examine factors-related physical activity among breast cancer survivors and to identify breast cancer survivors’ preferences for and interest in exercise programmes in order to inform the future programme development.Methods and analysisWe will administer a cross-sectional survey using a self-report questionnaire to breast cancer survivors. At each of 50 facilities selected to include a variety of institutional backgrounds according to the population distribution of different regions throughout Japan, we will consecutively distribute the questionnaire to 30 outpatients who have completed initial treatments, except for hormone therapy. The target sample size is 1500 survivors. We will calculate descriptive statistics for each measurement item and perform univariate and multivariate analyses using outcome measures (eg, physical activity and quality of life) related to physical, psychological, social and environmental factors.DiscussionThis is the first nationwide survey of physical activity levels among breast cancer survivors in Japan. Identifying the factors associated with physical activity will help us to develop, disseminate and implement programmes that encourage more survivors to adhere to physical activity guidelines.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the National Cancer Center on 11 January 2019 (ID: 2018–295). In addition, many of the participating facilities required ethical approval from their local IRBs, while others did not. Accordingly, approval from the local IRBs of individual facilities was obtained when required. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

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Self-Presentation and Physical Activity in Breast Cancer Survivors: The Moderating Effect of Social Cognitive Constructs

Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology ◽

10.1123/jsep.33.6.759 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 33 (6) ◽

pp. 759-778 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Jennifer Brunet ◽

Catherine M. Sabiston

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Self Report ◽

Cognitive Constructs ◽

Self Presentation ◽

Impression Motivation

This study examined (1) the relationships between self-presentation processes (i.e., impression motivation and impression construction) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among breast cancer survivors, and (2) whether social cognitive constructs (i.e., self-presentational efficacy expectancy [SPEE]; self-presentational outcome expectancy [SPOE]; self-presentational outcome value [SPOV]) moderate these relationships. Breast cancer survivors (N = 169; Mage = 55.06, SD = 10.67 years) completed self-report measures. Hierarchical regression analysis, controlling for age and body mass index, indicated that impression motivation was a significant correlate of MVPA (β = .25). Furthermore, SPEE (β = .21) and SPOV (β = .27) were moderators of this relationship. The final models accounted for 12–24% of the variance in MVPA. The findings of this study suggest that self-presentation processes (i.e., impression motivation) may indeed relate to breast cancer survivors’ MVPA. In addition, social cognitive constructs (i.e., SPEE, SPOV) moderated the relationship between impression motivation and MVPA. It may be effective to target impression motivation, SPEE, and SPOV in interventions aimed at increasing MVPA among breast cancer survivors.

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