Training overweight/obese older women at high risk for breast cancer to use web-based weight loss tools: The HELP pilot study.

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (27_suppl) ◽  
pp. 233-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Cadmus Bertram ◽  
J. P. Pierce ◽  
R. E. Patterson ◽  
H. Ojeda-Fournier ◽  
V. A. Newman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Initial Weight ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Internet Users

233 Background: Excess weight is one of the few modifiable risk factors for incident breast cancer. Many programs can achieve a 7% weight loss but few can maintain it over time. Training women to use self-help resources over the internet has potential for reducing intervention costs and ensuring program maintenance. Methods: 50 overweight/obese (BMI≥27.5 kg/m2) women at increased risk of breast cancer (Gail score≥1.7) were identified from a mammography registry and enrolled in the HELP pilot study and randomized with 2:1 probability to a 12-week lifestyle intervention or a comparison group. Twelve telephone-based coaching calls trained participants to use a free, publicly available website to set goals and track performance for dietary intake and physical activity. The comparison group received information but no training. At baseline and 12 weeks, participants were weighed, fitted with an accelerometer for physical activity pattern, and completed questionnaires. Results: At baseline, participants were 60.9±0.79 years of age with a BMI of 33.1±0.60 kg/m2; 39% were daily internet users. Thirty-three were randomized to the intervention group with 91% completing follow-up. Fifty-four percent were able to use the website reliably and found it to be helpful, including 44% of previously nondaily internet users. At 12 weeks, intervention group participants who found the website helpful had lost 5.6±0.7 kg, or 6.7% of initial weight, intervention participants who did not find it helpful lost 0.8±0.9kg or 1.1% of initial weight and the comparison group gained 1.0±0.94 kg (89% follow-up) The between-group difference weight change was 4.2 kg (p<.0001). 74% of intervention group participants lost weight, compared to only 34% of women assigned to the comparison group. Conclusions: A 12-session telephone coaching program to train women to use publicly available web-based weight loss programs effectively achieved a large short-term weight loss among the majority of participants. Further follow-up is needed to identify how well the initial weight loss is maintained without further intervention assistance.

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

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.

Web-based self-monitoring for weight loss among overweight/obese women at increased risk for breast cancer: the HELP pilot study

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 1821-1828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Cadmus-Bertram ◽  
Julie B. Wang ◽  
Ruth E. Patterson ◽  
Vicky A. Newman ◽  
Barbara A. Parker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Obese Women ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Increased Risk

scholarly journals Low-Fat Dietary Pattern among Postmenopausal Women Influences Long-Term Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, and Diabetes Outcomes

2019 ◽  
Vol 149 (9) ◽  
pp. 1565-1574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross L Prentice ◽  
Aaron K Aragaki ◽  
Barbara V Howard ◽  
Rowan T Chlebowski ◽  
Cynthia A Thomson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Dietary Fat ◽  
Dietary Pattern ◽  
Cancer Colorectal ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Low Fat

ABSTRACT Background The preferred macronutrient dietary composition, and the health consequences of dietary fat reduction specifically, have been debated for decades. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of long-term health outcomes in the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification (DM) trial. Objective The DM trial aimed to examine whether a low-fat dietary pattern would reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and, secondarily, coronary heart disease (CHD), with various other health outcomes also considered. Methods The DM trial is a randomized controlled trial conducted at 40 centers in the US, among 48,835 postmenopausal women aged 50–79 y with baseline intake of ≥32% energy from fat. Participants were randomly assigned to a low-fat dietary pattern intervention group or to a usual-diet comparison group, during 1993–1998. Intervention goals were to reduce fat intake from ∼35% to 20% of total energy, in conjunction with increasing vegetables and fruit to 5 servings/d and grains to 6 servings/d. Results Over an 8.5-y (median) intervention period, intervention and comparison group differences included lower fat by 8–10%, and higher carbohydrate by 8–10%, of total energy, in conjunction with higher consumption of vegetables, fruit, and grains. Time-to-outcome analyses did not show significant differences between intervention and comparison groups for invasive breast cancer, colorectal cancer, or CHD, either over the intervention period or over longer-term cumulative follow-up. Additional analyses showed significant intervention group benefits related to breast cancer, CHD, and diabetes, without adverse effects. Over a 19.6-y (median) follow-up period, HRs (95% CIs) were 0.84 (0.74, 0.96) for breast cancer followed by death, and 0.87 (0.77, 0.98) for diabetes requiring insulin. Conclusions Reduction in dietary fat with corresponding increase in vegetables, fruit, and grains led to benefits related to breast cancer, CHD, and diabetes, without adverse effects, among healthy postmenopausal US women. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00000611.

scholarly journals Use of an Unguided, Web-Based Distress Self-Management Program After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Sub-Analysis of CaringGuidance Pilot Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin M Lally ◽  
Kevin Kupzyk ◽  
Steve Gallo ◽  
Donna Berry
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Web Based

BACKGROUND Unguided, web-based psychoeducational interventions are gaining interest as a way to reach patients while reducing pressure on clinical resources. However, there has been little research on how patients with cancer use these interventions. OBJECTIVE The objective of this analysis was to evaluate how women newly diagnosed with breast cancer used the unguided web-based, psychoeducational distress self-management program CaringGuidance After Breast Cancer Diagnosis while enrolled in a pilot feasibility study. METHODS Women with stage 0 to II breast cancer diagnosed within the prior three months were recruited from clinics primarily in the Northeastern United States for participation in a 12-week pilot study of CaringGuidance plus usual care versus usual care alone. Usage prompts included sets of emails sent weekly for 12 weeks; standardized congratulatory emails after every two hours of program use, and informative emails for each cognitive-behavioral exercise. Individual user activity on the site was automatically tracked by an analytics system and recorded directly in the CaringGuidance database. RESULTS Complete usage data were available for 54 subjects. Ninety-eight percent of the intervention group logged into CaringGuidance independently at least once. Thirty-eight (70%) logged in during all three months, 15 (28%) were intermittent users, and one (2%) was a non-user. Users (n=53) averaged 15.6 (SD 9.85) logins. Mean logins were greatest in month 1 (7.26, SD 4.02) and declined in months 2 (4.32, SD 3.66) and month 3 (4.02, SD 3.82). Eleven (21%) used CaringGuidance with both the frequency and activity level intended at study outset, 9 (17%) exceeded intended frequency and activity (high-high users), and 10 (19%) were below expected usage on both login frequency and activity (low-low users). Low-low users and high-high users differed significantly (<i>P</i>&lt;.001) in the total number of views and unique views of all program components. Change in depressive symptoms and the number of sessions (r=.351) and logins (r=.348) between study months 1 and 2 were significantly correlated (<i>P</i>=.018, .019). Higher baseline distress was associated with more unique views of program resources (r=.281, <i>P</i>=.043). Change in intrusive/avoidant thoughts from baseline to month 3, and the number of users’ unique exercise views were negatively correlated (r=–.319, <i>P</i>=.035) so that more unique exercise views, equated with greater decline in intrusive/avoidant thoughts from baseline to month 3. CONCLUSIONS These findings favor the hypothesis that the key ingredient is not the amount of program use, but each user’s self-selected activity within the program. More research is needed on the ideal ways to maintain use, and capture and define engagement and enactment of behaviors by people with cancer accessing unguided, self-management web-based programs.

scholarly journals A Wearable Technology Delivering a Web-Based Diabetes Prevention Program to People at High Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/15448 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e15448
Author(s):  
Emily Staite ◽  
Adam Bayley ◽  
Ebaa Al-Ozairi ◽  
Kurtis Stewart ◽  
David Hopkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Diabetes Prevention Program ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Web Based ◽  
The Mean

Background Intensive lifestyle interventions are effective in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, but the implementation of learnings from landmark studies is expensive and time consuming. The availability of digital lifestyle interventions is increasing, but evidence of their effectiveness is limited. Objective This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to test the feasibility of a web-based diabetes prevention program (DPP) with step-dependent feedback messages versus a standard web-based DPP in people with prediabetes. Methods We employed a two-arm, parallel, single-blind RCT for people at high risk of developing diabetes. Patients with a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of 39-47 mmol/mol were recruited from 21 general practices in London. The intervention integrated a smartphone app delivering a web-based DPP course with SMS texts incorporating motivational interviewing techniques and step-dependent feedback messages delivered via a wearable device over 12 months. The control group received the wearable technology and access to the web-based DDP but not the SMS texts. As this was a feasibility study, the primary aim was to estimate potential sample size at different stages of the study, including the size of the target study population and the proportion of participants who consented, were randomized, and completed follow-up. We also measured the main outcomes for a full-scale RCT, namely, change in weight and physical activity at 6- and 12-month follow-ups, and secondary outcomes, including changes in the HbA1c level, blood pressure, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and lipid levels. Results We enrolled 200 participants: 98 were randomized to the intervention and 102 were randomized to the control group. The follow-up rate was higher in the control group (87/102, 85.3%) than in the intervention group (69/98, 70%) at 12 months. There was no treatment effect on weight at 6 months (mean difference 0.15; 95% CI −0.93 to 1.23) or 12 months (mean difference 0.07 kg; 95% CI −1.29 to 1.44) or for physical activity levels at 6 months (mean difference −382.90 steps; 95% CI −860.65 to 94.85) or 12 months (mean difference 92.64 steps; 95% CI −380.92 to 566.20). We did not observe a treatment effect on the secondary outcomes measured at the 6-month or 12-month follow-up. For the intervention group, the mean weight was 92.33 (SD 15.67) kg at baseline, 91.34 (SD 16.04) kg at 6 months, and 89.41 (SD 14.93) kg at 12 months. For the control group, the mean weight was 92.59 (SD 17.43) kg at baseline, 91.71 (SD 16.48) kg at 6 months, and 91.10 (SD 15.82) kg at 12 months. In the intervention group, the mean physical activity was 7308.40 (SD 4911.93) steps at baseline, 5008.76 (SD 2733.22) steps at 6 months, and 4814.66 (SD 3419.65) steps at 12 months. In the control group, the mean physical activity was 7599.28 (SD 3881.04) steps at baseline, 6148.83 (SD 3433.77) steps at 6 months, and 5006.30 (SD 3681.1) steps at 12 months. Conclusions This study demonstrates that it is feasible to successfully recruit and retain patients in an RCT of a web-based DPP. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02919397; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02919397

scholarly journals Use of an Unguided, Web-Based Distress Self-Management Program After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Sub-Analysis of CaringGuidance Pilot Study

10.2196/19734 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. e19734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin M Lally ◽  
Kevin Kupzyk ◽  
Steve Gallo ◽  
Donna Berry
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Web Based

Background Unguided, web-based psychoeducational interventions are gaining interest as a way to reach patients while reducing pressure on clinical resources. However, there has been little research on how patients with cancer use these interventions. Objective The objective of this analysis was to evaluate how women newly diagnosed with breast cancer used the unguided web-based, psychoeducational distress self-management program CaringGuidance After Breast Cancer Diagnosis while enrolled in a pilot feasibility study. Methods Women with stage 0 to II breast cancer diagnosed within the prior three months were recruited from clinics primarily in the Northeastern United States for participation in a 12-week pilot study of CaringGuidance plus usual care versus usual care alone. Usage prompts included sets of emails sent weekly for 12 weeks; standardized congratulatory emails after every two hours of program use, and informative emails for each cognitive-behavioral exercise. Individual user activity on the site was automatically tracked by an analytics system and recorded directly in the CaringGuidance database. Results Complete usage data were available for 54 subjects. Ninety-eight percent of the intervention group logged into CaringGuidance independently at least once. Thirty-eight (70%) logged in during all three months, 15 (28%) were intermittent users, and one (2%) was a non-user. Users (n=53) averaged 15.6 (SD 9.85) logins. Mean logins were greatest in month 1 (7.26, SD 4.02) and declined in months 2 (4.32, SD 3.66) and month 3 (4.02, SD 3.82). Eleven (21%) used CaringGuidance with both the frequency and activity level intended at study outset, 9 (17%) exceeded intended frequency and activity (high-high users), and 10 (19%) were below expected usage on both login frequency and activity (low-low users). Low-low users and high-high users differed significantly (P<.001) in the total number of views and unique views of all program components. Change in depressive symptoms and the number of sessions (r=.351) and logins (r=.348) between study months 1 and 2 were significantly correlated (P=.018, .019). Higher baseline distress was associated with more unique views of program resources (r=.281, P=.043). Change in intrusive/avoidant thoughts from baseline to month 3, and the number of users’ unique exercise views were negatively correlated (r=–.319, P=.035) so that more unique exercise views, equated with greater decline in intrusive/avoidant thoughts from baseline to month 3. Conclusions These findings favor the hypothesis that the key ingredient is not the amount of program use, but each user’s self-selected activity within the program. More research is needed on the ideal ways to maintain use, and capture and define engagement and enactment of behaviors by people with cancer accessing unguided, self-management web-based programs.

Training overweight/obese older women at high risk for breast cancer to use web-based weight loss tools: The HELP pilot study.

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e11128-e11128
Author(s):  
L. A. Cadmus Bertram ◽  
J. P. Pierce ◽  
R. E. Patterson ◽  
H. Ojeda-Fournier ◽  
B. A. Parker
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Web Based

scholarly journals A self-help diet and physical activity intervention with dietetic support for weight management in men treated for prostate cancer: pilot study of the Prostate Cancer Weight Management (PRO-MAN) randomised controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 122 (5) ◽  
pp. 592-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Mohamad ◽  
M. Ntessalen ◽  
L. C. A. Craig ◽  
J. Clark ◽  
S. Fielding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity

AbstractOverweight and obesity may increase risk of disease progression in men with prostate cancer, but there have been few studies of weight loss interventions in this patient group. In this study overweight or obese men treated for prostate cancer were randomised to a self-help diet and activity intervention with telephone-based dietitian support or a wait-list mini-intervention group. The intervention group had an initial group meeting, a supporting letter from their urological consultant, three telephone dietitian consultations at 4-week intervals, a pedometer and access to web-based diet and physical activity resources. At 12 weeks, men in both groups were given digital scales for providing follow-up weight measurements, and the wait-list group received a mini-intervention of the supporting letter, a pedometer and access to the web-based resources. Sixty-two men were randomised; fifty-four completed baseline and 12-week measurements, and fifty-one and twenty-seven provided measurements at 6 and 12 months, respectively. In a repeated-measures model, mean difference in weight change between groups (wait-list mini-intervention minus intervention) at 12 weeks was −2·13 (95 % CI −3·44, −0·82) kg (P = 0·002). At 12 months the corresponding value was −2·43 (95 % CI −4·50, −0·37) kg (P = 0·022). Mean difference in global quality of life score change between groups at 12 weeks was 12·3 (95 % CI 4·93, 19·7) (P = 0·002); at 12 months there were no significant differences between groups. Results suggest the potential of self-help diet and physical activity intervention with trained support for modest but sustained weight loss in this patient group.

scholarly journals A novel approach to increasing community capacity for weight management a volunteer-delivered programme (ActWELL) initiated within breast screening clinics: a randomised controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie S. Anderson ◽  
Huey Yi Chong ◽  
Angela M. Craigie ◽  
Peter T. Donnan ◽  
Stephanie Gallant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Breast Screening ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Volunteer Coaches

Abstract Background It is estimated that around 30% of breast cancers in post-menopausal women are related to lifestyle. The breast cancer-pooling project demonstrated that sustained weight loss of 2 to 4.5 kg is associated with an 18% lower risk of breast cancer, highlighting the importance of small changes in body weight. Our study aimed to assess the effectiveness a volunteer-delivered, community based, weight management programme (ActWELL) for women with a BMI > 25 kg/m2 attending NHS Scotland Breast Screening clinics. Methods A multicentre, 1:1 parallel group, randomised controlled trial was undertaken in 560 women aged 50 to 70 years with BMI > 25 kg/m2. On completion of baseline measures, all participants received a breast cancer prevention leaflet. Intervention group participants received the ActWELL intervention which focussed on personalised diet advice and pedometer walking plans. The programme was delivered in leisure centres by (the charity) Breast Cancer Now volunteer coaches. Primary outcomes were changes between groups at 12 months in body weight (kg) and physical activity (accelerometer measured step count). Results Two hundred seventy-nine women were allocated to the intervention group and 281 to the comparison group. Twelve-month data were available from 240 (81%) intervention and 227 (85%) comparison group participants. Coaches delivered 523 coaching sessions and 1915 support calls to 279 intervention participants. Mean weight change was − 2.5 kg (95% CI − 3.1 to − 1.9) in the intervention group and − 1.2 kg (− 1.8 to 0.6) in the comparison group. The adjusted mean difference was − 1.3 kg (95% CI − 2.2 to − 0.4, P = 0.003). The odds ratio for losing 5% weight was 2.20 (95% CI 1.4 to 3.4, p = 0.0005) in favour of the intervention. The adjusted mean difference in step counts between groups was 483 steps/day (95% CI − 635 to 1602) (NS). Conclusions A community weight management intervention initiated at breast screening clinics and delivered by volunteer coaches doubled the likelihood of clinically significant weight loss at 12 months (compared with usual care) offering significant potential to decrease breast cancer risk. Trial registration Database of registration: ISCRTN. Registration number:11057518. Date trial registered:21.07.2017. Date of enrolment of first participant: 01.09.2017.

Impact of a physical activity intervention on adolescents’ subjective sleep quality: a pilot study

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 14-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birna Baldursdottir ◽  
Richard E. Taehtinen ◽  
Inga Dora Sigfusdottir ◽  
Alexandra Krettek ◽  
Heiddis B. Valdimarsdottir
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Subjective Sleep Quality ◽  
Subjective Sleep ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions

Background: The aim of this pilot study was to examine the impact of a brief physical activity intervention on adolescents’ subjective sleep quality. Cross-sectional studies indicate that physically active adolescents have better subjective sleep quality than those with more sedentary habits. However, less is known about the effectiveness of physical activity interventions in improving adolescents’ subjective sleep quality. Methods: In a three-week physical activity intervention, four Icelandic upper secondary schools were randomized to either an intervention group with pedometers and step diaries or a control group without pedometers and diaries. Out of 84, a total of 53 students, aged 15−16 years, provided complete data or a minimum of two days step data (out of three possible) as well as sleep quality measures at baseline and follow-up. Subjective sleep quality, the primary outcome in this study, was assessed with four individual items: sleep onset latency, nightly awakenings, general sleep quality, and sleep sufficiency. Daily steps were assessed with Yamax CW-701 pedometers. Results: The intervention group ( n = 26) had significantly higher average step-count ( p = 0.03, partial η2 = 0.093) compared to the control group ( n = 27) at follow-up. Subjective sleep quality improved ( p = 0.02, partial η2 = 0.203) over time in the intervention group but not in the control group. Conclusions: Brief physical activity interventions based on pedometers and step diaries may be effective in improving adolescents’ subjective sleep quality. This has important public health relevance as the intervention can easily be disseminated and incorporated into school curricula.

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