Narrative Visualization for Breast Cancer Survivors' Physical Activity

The University of Texas System (UT)

Status

Completed

Conditions

Breast Cancer

Treatments

Behavioral: Standard self-regulation

Behavioral: Narrative visualization

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

NIH

Identifiers

NCT03612596

1R21CA218543-01A1 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

17-0310

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study tests the feasibility and acceptability of a physical activity intervention that combines use of a wearable activity monitor with a scrapbook. Half of the participants will receive this enhanced intervention, while the other half will receive a wearable activity monitor with a standard step log.

Full description

Women breast cancer survivors could benefit from increased physical activity but are in need of greater motivation to be active. Interventions that use wearable activity monitors and mobile apps have shown promise in the short-term, but use drops off over time. Reports have suggested that users find the step data provided to be unclear and not very personally meaningful. The ultimate purpose of this line of research is to test whether enhanced motivational feedback, using scrapbooks, can increase motivation for activity. The scrapbooks will target integrated regulation, which is a type of motivation related to personal identity and values. Participants who receive this intervention will draw their step graph, add photographs and stickers an explanations to the graph, and answer reflection questions daily. Before testing the effects of this intervention on physical activity, the investigators must first ensure that the materials and procedures are feasible and acceptable. This small pilot study will allow the research team to iteratively test scrapbook materials and improve upon them for use in future studies. The investigators will compare an intervention using the enhanced materials to an intervention using only the wearable device, app, and a standard step log without scrapbook or reflection components. In addition to the primary outcome of feasibility (use of the scrapbook), the investigators will also explore the effects of the intervention on steps, motivational and values-related outcomes, and various aspects of feasibility and acceptability.

Enrollment

40 patients

Sex

Female

Ages

55 to 79 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Age between 55 and 79 years
Female
Self-reported diagnosis of breast cancer
BMI between 18 and 40 kg/m2
Willingness to be randomized to any condition
Participant is able to walk for exercise
Able to read and understand English
Daily access to a smartphone or similar device compatible with Garmin app
PAR-Q+ indicates that physical activity would be safe (with note from physician required if any heart-related questions are endorsed)

Exclusion criteria

Participant is active (150 minutes or more activity per week)
Major health interventions (surgery, radiation, chemo) within the past 6 months
Stroke, hip fracture, hip or knee replacement, or spinal surgery in the past 6 months
History of orthopedic complications that would prevent optimal participation
No active recurrence of cancer
Self-reported smoker
Reports psychological issues that would interfere with study completion (dementia, schizophrenia)
Reports hospitalization within the past year due to psychiatric problem(s)
Plans to be out of town for more than 2 weeks at a time during study period
Clinical judgement concerning safety
Currently participating in an organized commercial or research exercise program
Another member of the household is a participant or staff member on this trial
Current use of a wearable activity monitor