mHealth Physical Activity Intervention for Survivors of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancers

mHealth Physical Activity Intervention for Survivors of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancers

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and gather preliminary data on outcomes of a 3-month mHealth intervention to promote physical activity among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors compared to a delayed intervention control group.

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors are not meeting recommended physical activity guidelines for cancer survivors, and few interventions to date have focused specifically on promoting physical activity among AYAs or capitalized on new technologies to deliver them. This is a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and gather preliminary data on outcomes of a 3-month mHealth intervention to promote PA among AYA survivors compared to a delayed intervention control group. This project will focus on how to best integrate self-monitoring with wearable trackers, increase self-efficacy, enhance autonomous motivation, and promote social support in a mobile health behavioral intervention that promotes moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) among AYA survivors. Participants will be AYA cancer survivors (N=60), diagnosed at age 15 or older and currently age 18-39. AYA cancer survivors will be recruited from the three comprehensive cancer centers in North Carolina to participate in this study. The behavioral intervention will consist of an activity tracker, Facebook group, weekly email lessons, and weekly tailored feedback emails. Assessments of objectively-measured physical activity and other outcomes will be completed at baseline, 3, and 6 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with cancer (excluding basal cell skin cancer) at age 15 or older
• Currently age 18-39
• Are 0 to 10 years post active cancer treatment (i.e., current hormonal treatments or maintenance therapies are permissible)
• Able to speak, read and write English
• Have access to the Internet and computer on at least a weekly basis
• Possession and usage of an Internet e-mail address or willingness to sign up for a free email account
• Have active Facebook account
• Willing to be randomized to either arm

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of heart attack or stroke within past 6 months
• Untreated hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or diabetes, unless permission is provided by their health care provider
• Have a pre-existing medical condition(s) or contraindications that preclude adherence to an unsupervised exercise program, including cardiovascular disease, heart failure, pulmonary conditions, renal disease, and severe orthopedic conditions
• Are already adhering to the American Cancer Society's recommendation of ≥150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week (<150 minutes/week)
• Current participation in another physical activity or weight control program
• Currently pregnant, pregnant within the past 6 months, or planning to become pregnant within the next 6 months
• Plans for major surgery (e.g., breast reconstruction) during the study time frame