Efficacy of a Group-based Videoconference Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors
Colorado State University
Summary
The goal of this research study is to look at how live, online group exercise compares to recorded videos for helping increase physical activity levels, improve physical fitness and quality of life, and reduce loneliness among those living with and beyond cancer. The following aims have been established for this study: * Aim 1: Examine the effect of a group-based videoconference physical activity (PA) intervention on moderate to vigorous physical activity \[MVPA\] (i.e., aerobic and resistance exercise). * Aim 2: Examine the effect of the intervention on additional health-related outcomes including physical fitness (i.e., aerobic endurance, muscular strength), and quality of life at both timepoints. * Aim 3: Explore potential mediators and moderators of intervention effects. We will examine mediators (e.g., self-efficacy, outcome expectations, group cohesion) and moderators (e.g., age, cancer stage, neighborhood walkability) of the intervention on MVPA. * Exploratory Aim: Determine whether a group-based videoconference PA intervention reduces loneliness among cancer survivors. Researchers will randomize participants into one of two guided exercise groups that are 12-weeks long in duration. Participants will be asked to complete online fitness assessments and surveys as well as wear a physical activity monitor device and watch a few times throughout the study. The whole study is 9-months long in duration with a 6-month free-living period where no study activities will take place.
Description
For cancer survivors, moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) is associated with up to 50% reductions in cancer-specific and all-cause mortality. Previous studies also consistently demonstrate that MVPA improves cancer survivor's' physical function and quality of life. However, recent estimates suggest that only 14.2% of cancer survivors engage in the amount of MVPA considered necessary to achieve these health benefits, indicating a need for effective and wide-reaching interventions to increase MVPA. Supervised interventions that utilize behavior change techniques like goal se…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Able to speak/read English, * Diagnosed with any type of cancer within the last 5 years * Completed primary or adjuvant treatment (i.e., chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery) with no planned treatment within the next nine months. This does not include long-term or chronic therapies such as anti-hormone or targeted therapies (e.g., aromatase inhibitor, androgen deprivation therapy, immunotherapies) Exclusion Criteria: * Existing participation in ≥150 minutes per week of at least moderate intensity aerobic exercise * Known contraindications for non-medically supervis…
Interventions
- BehavioralVirtually Supervised Exercise Sessions
The 12-week intervention will consist of supervised exercise sessions twice per week, and PA behavior change discussion sessions twice per month (bi-weekly) throughout the study for a total of five sessions (Week 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10). Exercise and PA behavior change discussion sessions will be informed by social cognitive theory, operationalize several BCT's, and include group dynamics-based strategies to enhance group cohesion. Exercise sessions will take place twice per week, lasting approximately one hour.
- BehavioralAsynchronous Group
The comparator will be an "unsupported intervention",128 which will use the same technology and provide the same content as the intervention but subtract the human components. Participants in the control group will receive access to pre-recorded (i.e., asynchronous) videos of the exercise and discussion sessions. The exercise videos will follow the same format as those in the intervention (i.e., instructor led, circuit-style aerobic and resistance exercises). Discussion sessions will operationalize the same BCT's using PowerPoint slides. Comparator arm participants will receive instructions on how to access these videos via a unique participant login to a secure website, Canvas, the same recommendations to achieve PA guidelines, and the same home-based exercise equipment (along with instructions for use).
Location
- Human Performance Clinical Research LabFort Collins, Colorado