A Web-Based Physical Activity Intervention in Adolescent Survivors of Childhood Cancer
Condition: Cancer
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Five year survival following a diagnosis of childhood cancer has reached 83%, making long
      term health outcomes among survivors an important concern. The growing population of
      survivors is at an increased risk of physical inactivity and associated adverse health
      outcomes. Regular physical activity is associated with better cardiovascular and
      musculoskeletal health. Despite the known benefits of physical activity, nearly half of all
      childhood cancer survivors do not meet recommended guidelines for physical activity.

      Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (SJCRH) want to determine if a
      rewards-based physical activity intervention delivered via an interactive website among young
      adolescent childhood cancer survivors, aged 11 through 14 years, will increase physical
      activity levels and improve cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health. The investigators also
      want to learn if this rewards-based intervention is effective. To achieve this goal the
      investigators have designed a three-arm prospective, randomized study with two reward-based
      intervention groups and a control group.
    

Detailed description: 
      PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

        -  To compare changes in levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity over 24 weeks.

      SECONDARY OBJECTIVE:

        -  To compare changes in cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and flexibility over
           24 weeks.

      Participants will be randomized to one of three groups. Participants in the control group
      will receive an activity monitor and educational materials, but will not have access to the
      interactive website. Participants randomized to the two intervention groups will be given
      access to a rewards program delivered via an interactive website, an activity monitor, and
      educational materials. Individual physical activity data can be viewed by study participants
      after uploading information from their monitors to the interactive website. One intervention
      group will receive minimal rewards, while the other group will receive immediate incentives
      as well as the minimal rewards as they move from one level to the other on the website.

      After 24 weeks, changes in cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, flexibility, and
      physical function will be compared between the two intervention groups and the control group.
    

Intervention name(s): Activity Monitor; Interactive Website; Educational Materials
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Measurement of physical activity.; Zamzee is a meter that measures activity and a website that makes moving fun. Parents of participants can set activity goals. Activity is uploaded to the website where participants track progress and earn rewards by increasing their level of activity. Participants can view leaderboards and check how other participants are doing.; All participants will receive educational handouts about physical activity. Participants will receive the educational handouts again via mail three and five months into the study to reinforce the importance of physical activity and maintain compliance.
Other intervention name(s): Tri-Axial Accelerometer; Zamzee; Zamzee Website; Educational Brochure
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Supportive Care
Keywords: Cancer Survivor; Physical Activity; Health Outcomes; Rewards-Based Intervention; Cardiovascular Health; Musculoskeletal Health; Exercise