Facebook-based Physical Activity Intervention for Young Adult Cancer Survivors: the FITNET Randomized Pilot Study

Early Phase 1

Completed

• Conditions: Physical Activity
• Interventions: Behavioral: Facebook-based Self-help Comparison; Behavioral: Facebook-based Messages/Website

• Registration Number: NCT01349153
• Lead Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a behavioral intervention, delivered through an existing social networking website (Facebook), on physical activity (moderate-intensity minutes per week) among young adult cancer survivors compared to a self-help education condition. For this research study, investigators will conduct a 12-week randomized trial. After a baseline survey, weekly messages, a pedometer, goal-setting tool, physical activity log and discussion prompts will be delivered to the intervention group. Comparison group participants will receive links to websites with self-help education materials. After 12 weeks, a follow-up survey will be given to both groups. Changes in physical activity, quality of life and psychosocial factors will be examined. The investigators hypothesize that those receiving the intervention will have improved physical activity behaviors at 12-week follow-up relative to those in the comparison group.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2011-04
• Study First Submitted: 2011-05-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2011-05-04
• Study First Posted: 2011-05-06
• Status Verified: 2011-12
• Primary Completion: 2011-12
• Study Completion: 2011-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2011-12-12
• Last Update Posted: 2011-12-13

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 97

Inclusion Criteria

• Young adult between ages 21-39 diagnosed with cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) at age 18 or older
• At least 1 year beyond date of diagnosis with no evidence of progressive disease or second primary cancers
• Completed cancer treatment
• English-speaking and writing
• No pre-existing medical condition(s) or contraindications that preclude adherence to an unsupervised exercise program, including cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, pulmonary conditions, renal disease, and severe orthopedic conditions
• Not adhering to the American Cancer Society's recommendation of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week (<150 minutes/week)
• Have access to Internet service and an active Facebook account
• Willing to be randomized
• Have indicated consent by checking "yes" to the online consent form

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Exclusion Criteria

• Non-English speaking
• < 21 and > 39 years of age
• Diagnosed with cancer less than one year previously or still in treatment
• Pre-existing medical condition(s) that preclude adherence to an unsupervised exercise program, including cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, pulmonary conditions, renal disease, and severe orthopedic conditions

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Facebook-based Self-help Comparison	Facebook-based Self-help Comparison	Participants will receive a pedometer and twelve weekly messages with links to Internet resources that have educational materials related to exercise and cancer survivorship.
Facebook-based Messages/Website	Facebook-based Messages/Website	Participants will receive a pedometer, twelve weekly messages, and be encouraged to participate in sixteen Facebook group discussions and use a website for exercise goal-setting and tracking activity.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Primary study outcome measures at the participant level will be minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week and exercise in MET-hrs/week.	Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Quality of life	Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.
Psychosocial factors	Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.	Examine potential mediators of the effect of the intervention, including changes in self-efficacy, social support and self-monitoring behaviors
Utilization of program components/activities	Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.
Perceptions of program components/activities	Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.
Communication factors	Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.	Examine potential mediators of the effect of the intervention, including message trust, relevance and recall

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at UNC-CH; 🇺🇸 Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States