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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01349153

Facebook-based Physical Activity Intervention for Young Adult Cancer Survivors: the FITNET Randomized Pilot Study

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Physical Activity Behavior Motor Activity

Age range

21 year–39 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Early Phase 1

Primary location

Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at UNC-CH

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Facebook-based Messages/Website

Behavioral

Twelve weekly messages, a pedometer, sixteen group discussions, and access to an exercise website to promote increased physical activity.

Facebook-based Self-help Comparison

Behavioral

Twelve weekly messages and a pedometer.

Primary outcomes

  1. Primary study outcome measures at the participant level will be minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week and exercise in MET-hrs/week.

    Time frame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Quality of life

    Time frame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.

  2. Psychosocial factors

    Time frame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.

    Examine potential mediators of the effect of the intervention, including changes in self-efficacy, social support and self-monitoring behaviors

  3. Utilization of program components/activities

    Time frame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.

  4. Perceptions of program components/activities

    Time frame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.

  5. Communication factors

    Time frame: Participants will be assessed at baseline (before 12-week study period) and after 12 weeks.

    Examine potential mediators of the effect of the intervention, including message trust, relevance and recall

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Other

Registry information

Acronym: FITNET

Important dates

Study start
2011
Primary completion
2011
Study completion
2011
First posted
May 6, 2011
Registry last updated
Dec 13, 2011

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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