MedPath

Evaluating Whether Charity Incentives Motive Cancer Survivors to Increase Physical Activity

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Incentives
Cancer
Physical Activity
Interventions
Behavioral: Control
Behavioral: Experimental
Registration Number
NCT03322059
Lead Sponsor
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Brief Summary

The investigators propose to examine whether linking daily activity with charity-based incentives motivates cancer survivors to initiate and maintain physical activity. Linking daily physical activity goals with a cancer specific charity incentive may provide a uniquely salient motivator that promotes increased physical activity among cancer survivors. The investigators will examine whether using activity monitors in combination with charitable incentives leads to greater increases in physical activity compared to activity monitors alone. Target participants includes cancer survivors who are not already active. Physical activity (e.g., steps per day, time in moderate-intensity activity) will be examined at baseline and following a 12-week intervention period using an activPAL accelerometer. After the baseline assessment, both groups will receive a fitbit monitor and informational material designed to increase physical activity. Participants in the fitbit+charity group will have donations made in their name to a cancer charity if they meet daily step goals. Physical activity levels will be monitored using the fitbit device for 6-weeks following the formal intervention period.

Detailed Description

The study is a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of a 12-week physical activity intervention. Fifty cancer survivors will be recruited and allocated to one of two research arms: Fitbit+Only Group or Fitbit+Charity Incentives Group. Participants in both intervention arms will be asked to track their physical activities using Fitbit One, an activity monitor that monitors steps and physical activity and will receive basic educational materials about increasing physical activity. Those in the Fitbit+charity incentives Group will raise money for cancer charities if they meet weekly step targets.

The key outcome variable of the RCT is steps as measured by an activPAL accelerometer. Data will be collected at baseline and 12-weeks. Fitbit data will also be collected for the duration of the 12-week intervention and for 6-weeks following the end of the intervention period to have an initial examination of behavior change maintenance (total 18-weeks).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
51
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Adults ≥ 18 years and <50 y, with diagnosed Adolescent or Young Adult cancer (diagnosed between 15-39y of age);
  2. ≥ 6 months post-cancer treatment
  3. English speaking
  4. Participate in <60 minutes of MVPA/week
  5. Own a smartphone
  6. Have access to computer
  7. Participants must also pass a physical activity readiness questionnaire or receive medical clearance from their primary care physician or oncologist.
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Joint, cardiovascular, or respiratory problem(s) precluding physical activity
  2. Metastatic disease
  3. Planned elective surgery or pregnancy during intervention/follow-up that would interfere with participation (e.g., breast reconstructive surgery).
  4. Already using a wearable device >5 days per week

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
ControlControlThe core intervention will include educational materials, access to a basic smartphone app and a Fitbit. Participants will receive a weekly email with a step goal that will increase 10% beyond the previous weeks values.
InterventionExperimentalThe core intervention will include educational materials, access to a basic smartphone app and a Fitbit. Participants will receive a weekly email with a step goal that will increase 10% beyond the previous weeks values. Participants will be in the form of a charitable donation in their name to a cancer charity.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Daily steps12 weeks - change from baseline to 12 weeks

Daily steps as measured by activPAL

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Daily Stepsbaseline to 12 weeks

Daily Steps as Measured by Fitbit

Sedentary timeChange from baseline to 12 weeks

Sedentary time as Measured by activPAL activity monitor

FatigueChange from baseline to 12 weeks

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Fatigue Short Form 8a (Total Score range 8-40). higher score is more fatigue.

DepressionChange from baseline to 12 weeks

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Depression Short Form 8a. Total score range 8-40. Higher score is more depressed.

Behavioral Regulation in Exercise QuestionnaireChange from baseline to 12 weeks

Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire -3. Contains 6 subscales Amotivation, external regulation, introjected regulation, identified regulation, integrated regulation, intrinsic regulation, each range from 0-16, higher values indicate more motivation in that domain.

Exercise Goal SettingChange from baseline to 12 weeks

10-item total score. Ranged from 10 to 50, higher score means more goal setting. Exercise Goal-Setting Scale.

Participant retention12 weeks

Proportion of participants retained of those randomized

Moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) timeChange from baseline to 12 weeks

MVPA time as Measured by activPAL

Attitudes Toward Charitable GivingChange from baseline to 12 weeks

Attitudes Toward Charitable Giving Scale. Total of 20 questions with scores from 1-5, there are five domains higher score is more of a particular attitude. 1.) Inefficiency of Charitable Giving 2.) Efficiency of Charitable Giving 3.) Cynical Giving 4.) Altruistic Giving 5.) Purpose of Charity

Barriers Self-efficacy ScaleChange from baseline to 12 weeks

Barriers Self-efficacy Scale. 15 items, total score range 0-1500. Higher indicated more self-efficacy

Physical Activity EnjoymentChange from baseline to 12 weeks

Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. 18-item scale with 7-point bipolar rating. Total score range 18-126. Higher scores reflect greater levels of enjoyment.

Intervention Maintenance12-18 weeks

% of weeks adhered to step goal as measured by fitbit during 6-week follow-up period

Duration wore Fitbit12-18 weeks

Duration wore Fitbit during during 6-week follow-up period

Exercise outcome expectationsChange from baseline to 12 weeks

Multidimensional Outcome Expectations for Exercise Scale. Total score (range 15-75), higher score means more multidimensional outcome expectations.

Stepping timeChange from baseline to 12 weeks

Stepping time as Measured by activPAL

Intervention ReachBaseline

Proportion of individuals who agree to participate of those who express an interest in participation

Step goal adherence1-12 weeks

Proportion of weeks meeting physical activity goal as measured by fitbit

Sleepbaseline to 12 weeks

Sleep as Measured by Fitbit

Standing timeChange from baseline to 12 weeks

Standing time as Measured by activPAL

Sedentary breaks/patternsChange from baseline to 12 weeks

Sedentary breaks/patterns as Measured by activPAL

Physical FunctionChange from baseline to 12 weeks

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Short Form 20a. Total score (range 20-100). Higher score is worse physical function

Pittsburg Sleep Quality QuestionnaireChange from baseline to 12 weeks

Pittsburg Sleep Quality Questionnaire. Total score. Greater than 5 indicated poor sleep quality.

Exercise Self-efficacy ScaleChange from baseline to 12 weeks

Exercise Self-efficacy Scale. 6 items total score. Range 0-600, higher is more self-efficacy

Sleep disturbanceChange from baseline to 12 weeks

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Sleep Disturbance Form. Total score range 8-40. Higher score is more disturbance.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

California Polytechnic State University

🇺🇸

San Luis Obispo, California, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath