Clinical trial NCT01349153: Facebook-based Physical Activity Intervention for Young Adult Cancer Survivors: the FITNET Randomized Pilot Study
Official title: Facebook-based Physical Activity Intervention for Young Adult Cancer Survivors: the FITNET Randomized Pilot Study
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: EARLY_PHASE1
Conditions: Physical Activity
Keywords: Physical Activity
Young Adults
Cancer Survivors
Lead sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2011-05-06
Enrollment: 97
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 21
Maximum age (years): 39
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE

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.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* 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

Exclusion Criteria:

* 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

Primary outcomes:
measure: Primary study outcome measures at the participant level will be minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week and exercise in MET-hrs/week.
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Quality of life
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.
measure: Psychosocial factors
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.
measure: Utilization of program components/activities
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.
measure: Perceptions of program components/activities
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.
measure: Communication factors
timeFrame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Chapel Hill
country: United States
facility: Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at UNC-CH
state: North Carolina
Study officials:
affiliation: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
name: Marci K. Campbell, PhD, MPH
role: STUDY_CHAIR
affiliation: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
name: Carmina G. Valle, MPH
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: 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.
citation: 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.