Pilot Investigation of Behavioral Alternatives to Indoor Tanning

University of Massachusetts, Worcester

Status: Completed

Conditions: Skin Cancer

Treatments: Behavioral: Airbrush Plus; Behavioral: Airbrush; Behavioral: Delayed Airbrush

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02192918

1R21CA161576-01A1

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this research is to develop and test the feasibility of an intervention that stimulates uptake of healthy alternatives to tanning by providing free access to them for a limited time. Free access gives participants a low-risk opportunity to try something new that is consistent with their motivations. Free access also allows them to experience the reinforcing properties of the alternatives which could prime continued use after the free trial period. The objective of the present study is to determine the feasibility and short-term efficacy of providing free alternatives to indoor tanners in an effort to "nudge" them to switch from indoor tanning to healthy alternatives.

Full description

Melanoma is the second most common cancer diagnosed in young women and is responsible for nearly 8,000 US deaths per year. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) increases risk for melanoma. The International Agency for Research on Cancer assigned indoor tanning (IT; use of tanning beds or booths), as a class 1 carcinogen joining arsenic, asbestos, and mustard gas. Unfortunately, interventions educating tanners about the risks have not been very effective. Many tanners are more motivated by the immediate consequences of tanning than the delayed consequence of possibly getting cancer. Research shows the primary motivation for indoor tanning is to improve physical appearance, but a secondary motivation is stress reduction. Behavioral economics theory suggests that the rate of a behavior depends on 1) the reinforcing value of that behavior relative to alternatives, 2) the cost of engaging in the behavior relative to alternatives, and 3) the availability of the behavior relative to alternatives. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether exposure to healthy alternatives changes the behavior of indoor tanners. The investigators will randomize tanners to conditions differing in physical appearance and stress reduction alternatives to determine whether they can get their motivational needs met in healthier ways.

Enrollment: 74 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 16 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Female
• Ages 16-65
• Report minimum of 10 indoor tanning visits in the last year with intentions to continue

Exclusion criteria

• Ages <16 or >65
• Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study period
• Reporting less than 10 indoor tanning visits per year
• No intention to continue indoor tanning
• Using sunless tanning more than once in the last year and ever in the last 3 months
• Physically limited to do yoga or dance classes
• DHA allergy
• Inability to consent
• Prisoners

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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74 participants in 3 patient groups

Airbrush

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive the American Academy of Dermatology Sun Smart pamphlet at the baseline session. It has brief tips for reducing skin cancer risk, but does not mention sunless tanning or relaxation activities. Participants will also complete 4 airbrush tan sessions, once every two weeks, over the course of 2 months. Participants will receive access to one of each of the following after the 6-month assessment at no cost: massage, pedicure, yoga class, and dance class. Participants will schedule these activities on their own and the study staff will arrange for payment for the appointment.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Airbrush

Airbrush Plus

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive the American Academy of Dermatology Sun Smart pamphlet at the baseline session. It has brief tips for reducing skin cancer risk, but does not mention sunless tanning or relaxation activities. Participants will also complete 4 airbrush tan sessions, once every two weeks, over the course of 2 months. Additionally, they may choose 8 sessions, 1 per week, of the following activities at no cost: massage, pedicure, yoga class, or dance class. These activities are being given as healthy alternatives to the relaxation sensation of indoor tanning.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Airbrush Plus

Delayed Airbrush Plus

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will receive the American Academy of Dermatology Sun Smart pamphlet at the baseline session. It has brief tips for reducing skin cancer risk, but does not mention sunless tanning or relaxation activities. Participants will also receive access to one of each of the following after the 6-month assessment at no cost: airbrush tan, massage, pedicure, yoga class, and dance class.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Delayed Airbrush