Clinical trial NCT00709306: The Skin Savvy Study: A Behavioral Skin Cancer Prevention Intervention
Official title: The Skin Savvy Study: A Behavioral Skin Cancer Prevention Intervention
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Skin Cancer Prevention
Lead sponsor: Fox Chase Cancer Center
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
First posted: 2008-07-03
Enrollment: 197
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 24
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: FACTORIAL
Primary purpose: PREVENTION

Brief summary: The purpose of the proposed project is to investigate the efficacy and longevity of two novel approaches to changing skin protection behaviors: 1) UV-detect photos that reveal currently existing skin damage and 2) motivational interviewing (MI), a person-centered, yet directive counseling style used to enhance internal motivation to change health behaviors. The proposed investigations include a pilot study to refine the methodology; a small formal randomized controlled efficacy trial; and a dismantling study. These studies will also expand current knowledge and research in several major ways: 1) the use of UV-detect photos will enable highly salient and personalized feedback, 2) MI will be used in a previously untried health domain (skin cancer prevention), 3) objective skin color changes will be measured using state-of-the-art skin reflectance spectrophotometry, and 4) the proposed studies will test aspects of several major psychological theories (e.g., Transtheoretical Model, Prototype/Willingness Model) to identify moderators/mediators of outcome.

Detailed description: Teens and young adults are at high risk for overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a leading factor in the development of skin cancer. The majority of these individuals continue to protect themselves minimally and tan intentionally, including significant increases in tanning booth use recently. Such care-free behaviors exist despite widespread education/awareness about UV radiation and skin cancer. The purpose of the proposed project is to investigate the efficacy and longevity of two novel approaches to changing skin protection behaviors: 1) UV-detect photos that reveal currently existing skin damage and 2) motivational interviewing (MI), a person-centered, yet directive counseling style used to enhance internal motivation to change health behaviors. The proposed investigations include a pilot study to refine the methodology; a small formal randomized controlled efficacy trial; and a dismantling study. These studies will also expand current knowledge and research in several major ways: 1) the use of UV-detect photos will enable highly salient and personalized feedback, 2) MI will be used in a previously untried health domain (skin cancer prevention), 3) objective skin color changes will be measured using state-of-the-art skin reflectance spectrophotometry, and 4) the proposed studies will test aspects of several major psychological theories (e.g., Transtheoretical Model, Prototype/Willingness Model) to identify moderators/mediators of outcome. Therefore, the studies should provide useful information about process and outcome for skin cancer prevention researchers and clinicians.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 or older

Exclusion Criteria:

* Visual impairment

Primary outcomes:
measure: Sun Stage of Change at 3 Months
timeFrame: 3 months
measure: Sun Stage of Change at 12 Months
timeFrame: 12 months
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Philadelphia
country: United States
facility: Fox Chase Cancer Center
state: Pennsylvania
Study officials:
affiliation: Fox Chase Cancer Center
name: Carolyn Heckman, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: