Adolescents and Young Adults becoming Physically Active after Cancer Trial (AYA-PACT)
Summary
Background:
There is a need for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer research because the number of new cancers in young people is increasing and the survivor population is growing. Interventions that try to reduce problems that affect people after cancer are particularly important since its treatments can have negative effects on survivors’ physical and mental health even decades after diagnosis.
Aim:
Given the many positive effects of physical activity (e.g. improved fitness and quality of life), our study aims to encourage AYA cancer survivors to be more physically active as they shift from treatment to survivorship care. The main goal of this study is to see if a home-based, mobile health (mHealth) physical activity intervention can increase physical activity levels by at least 120 minutes/week at 12 months compared to baseline in AYA cancer survivors compared to AYA cancer survivors who receive usual care (controls).
Methods:
We will conduct a randomized controlled trial of 320 AYA cancer survivors living in Alberta and within 12 months of completing treatment. At the start of the study, participants will complete fitness testing and questionnaires. Participants will then be randomly put into either a control or intervention group. The control group will receive the standard of care. The intervention group will receive a personalized physical activity plan, an activity tracker watch, access to a private, online survivor community, motivational text messages and check-in calls/e-mails. Fitness testing and questionnaires will be repeated at 6 and 12 months to see if the intervention increased physical activity levels and improved health outcomes among the participants in the intervention group compared to controls. A final measurement at 24 months will test long-term use. Controls will be given a Polar® watch and a physical activity prescription upon returning the ActiGraph® GT3X+ after the 12-month intervention.
Impact:
This study could provide AYA cancer survivors with a simple and affordable mHealth intervention that benefits their physical and mental health. If our intervention works in Alberta, we aim to test its effectiveness nationally.
Eligibility
Eligible gender: Male, Female, Transgender, Other
Eligible ages: 15 to 39
Accepts healthy participants: Yes
Inclusion criteria:
1. Lives in Alberta;
2. Diagnosed with a malignant cancer between the ages of 15-39 years in Alberta;
3. Completed active cancer directed therapy (chemotherapy, radiation therapy and/or surgery) in the last 12 months, except for "maintenance" therapy to prevent recurrences;
4. Able to understand and provide written informed consent and complete questionnaires in English;
5. Have access to the Internet on at least a weekly basis;
6. Have a mobile phone with a text messaging plan; and
7. Willing to be randomized to either arm.
Exclusion criteria:
Exclusion criteria:
1. Health problems which preclude ability to walk for physical activity, as measured by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+);
2. Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant within the next year; or
3. Currently exercising > 300 minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity.
Participate
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Additional information
Contact information
Miranda M Fidler-Benaoudia (Study Principal Investigator) Leanne Dickau (Study Coordinator) AYAPACT@ahs.ca (403) 476-2746
Principal investigator:
Miranda Fidler-Benaoudia
Clinical trial:
Yes
REB-ID:
HREBA.CC-20-0397