PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The goal of this K08 Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award is to prepare the
candidate for an independent research career
Breast cancer survivors who exercise regularly
in behavioral oncology and health behavior intervention science.
post-cancer diagnosis are less likely to die from cancer and even
modest increases in physical activity (=
related mortality. However, longitudinal studies show significant declines in exercise engagement during the 12-
15 minutes/week) yield clinically meaningful reductions in breast cancer-
months post-diagnosis, with most breast cancer survivors never fully returning to pre-diagnosis activity levels.
The candidate proposes an innovative approach, based on affect-regulation, to addressing physical inactivity as
a public health risk factor negatively impacting breast cancer survivorship. The training and mentoring plan is
designed to provide knowledge and skills in (1) early-phase intervention development, (2) intensive longitudinal
data collection and analysis methods, (3) randomized clinical trial design, and (4) professional development. The
proposed research will refine an affect-regulated exercise prescription strategy (Affect-Rx) for use with physically
inactive breast cancer survivors (Aim 1), test for proof-of-concept the effect of Affect-Rx on clinically meaningful
moderate-vigorous physical activity participation post-intervention, operationalized as =
90 mins/week
(Aim 2),
and quantify the strength of within-person associations between affective factors and total physical activity (Aim
3). The candidate will use the milestones for early-phase intervention development established by the Obesity-
Related Behavioral Intervention Trials (ORBIT)
two studies. In both studies, participants’ daily
Model to guide the methods and outcomes to be tested across
affective feeling states and physical activity will be measured
using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and accelerometry at baseline and 2-, 6- and 12-weeks follow-
up. The Affect-Rx strategy will be refined for acceptability in Study 1 (N = 20) and tested (with refinements) in
Study 2 (N = 60). In consultation with her team of mentors and scientific advisors, the candidate will use the
training, the results of the research, and the ORBIT intervention development framework to systematically guide
the next steps in this affect-based physical activity promotion line of work and submit her first R01 proposal.
