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

NCT01349153 | Completed Early Phase 1

• 1 other identifier: 10-2150
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 97
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Physical Activity

Keywords

Physical Activity; Young Adults; Cancer Survivors

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• 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 Outcomes (5)

• 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.

• 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.

Study Arms (2)

Facebook-based Self-help Comparison

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive a pedometer and twelve weekly messages with links to Internet resources that have educational materials related to exercise and cancer survivorship.

Behavioral: Facebook-based Self-help Comparison

Facebook-based Messages/Website

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Behavioral: Facebook-based Messages/Website

Interventions

Facebook-based Messages/Website BEHAVIORAL

Twelve weekly messages, a pedometer, sixteen group discussions, and access to an exercise website to promote increased physical activity.

Facebook-based Messages/Website

Facebook-based Self-help Comparison BEHAVIORAL

Twelve weekly messages and a pedometer.

Facebook-based Self-help Comparison

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years - 39 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: lead

Study Sites (1)

Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at UNC-CH

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Valle CG, Tate DF. Engagement of young adult cancer survivors within a Facebook-based physical activity intervention. Transl Behav Med. 2017 Dec;7(4):667-679. doi: 10.1007/s13142-017-0483-3.

  PMID: 28374211 DERIVED

• Valle CG, Tate DF, Mayer DK, Allicock M, Cai J. A randomized trial of a Facebook-based physical activity intervention for young adult cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv. 2013 Sep;7(3):355-68. doi: 10.1007/s11764-013-0279-5. Epub 2013 Mar 27.

  PMID: 23532799 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Officials

• Marci K. Campbell, PhD, MPH

  University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

  STUDY CHAIR

• Carmina G. Valle, MPH

  University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: early phase 1
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 2, 2011
• First Posted: May 6, 2011
• Study Start: April 1, 2011
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2011
• Study Completion: December 1, 2011
• Last Updated: December 13, 2011

Record last verified: 2011-12

Locations

US (1)