Sunday, May 18, 2025
5/18/2025
Efficacy of a group-based videoconference intervention to increase physical activity in cancer survivors - Project Summary/Abstract Moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA; i.e., aerobic and resistance exercise) improves physical function and quality of life for cancer survivors, and is associated with reductions in cancer-specific and all-cause mortality. Unfortunately, recent estimates suggest that only 14% of individuals with a cancer history are engaging in the amount of MVPA considered necessary to achieve these health benefits. Thus, there is a need for effective and wide-reaching interventions that can help cancer survivors increase MVPA. Supervised group-based interventions are successful in increasing MVPA among cancer survivors, however, delivering these interventions face-to-face can be resource intensive, and present a barrier in terms of access. Virtually supervised PA interventions (i.e., using videoconferencing) can offer the benefits of real-time supervision and social interaction, while retaining the scalability and reach advantages of other remote delivery modalities. To date, there have been no large-scale, randomized controlled trials testing the efficacy of a group-based videoconference intervention to increase MVPA in cancer survivors. This study will examine the effect of a group- based videoconference intervention to increase MVPA and improve health outcomes among cancer survivors and explore behavioral mediators and moderators of intervention effects. We will randomize adult cancer survivors to the 12-week intervention, or a comparator group. The intervention will include twice-weekly instructor led group-based aerobic and resistance exercise, and PA behavior change discussion sessions. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 12-weeks (post-intervention) and six-month follow-up. All study visits and intervention components will be delivered in-real time using videoconferencing software. The primary outcome will be weekly minutes of MVPA, measured using an accelerometer and a validated self-report questionnaire. Secondary outcomes are self-reported quality of life, and physical fitness as assessed by the sit-to-stand test and 2-minute step test. An exploratory outcome of the study will be to examine the effect of the intervention on loneliness. Videoconference technology has the potential to expand the reach and scalability of supervised, group-based interventions, thus presenting an effective way to help cancer survivors increase MVPA and connect with other participants.
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