Examining the Use of Tailored Health Messages to Promote Physical Activity among Inactive Breast Cancer Survivors

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  • March 19, 2019
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  • Kaye, Leanne
    • Affiliation: Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Nutrition
Abstract
  • With continuous advancements in cancer care, the number of breast cancer survivors (BCS) living beyond five years continues to grow. While these advancements are encouraging, most survivors live with at least one side-effect of treatment, even six years after diagnosis. Engagement in regular physical activity (PA) can mitigate many of the physical and psychosocial side-effects experienced. As such, national PA guidelines recommend that BCS engage in regular PA. However, more than two-thirds of BCS fail to meet these guidelines. While some PA resources now exist for many of the challenges BCS face, these resources are often limited in reach and accessibility, and may be less effective due to the "one-size-fits-all" approach. Thus, this study aimed to develop and test the feasibility of a web-based, tailored intervention to promote PA among inactive BCS. In aim 1, we conducted a validation study of a commercial accelerometer (Fitbit Zip) among 35 free-living, healthy adults. We found that the Fitbit was a valid tool for measuring step activity, but further interpretation of activity intensity (sedentary, light, moderate and vigorous activity) is needed. In aim 2, we evaluated the feasibility of a 12-week, web-based, tailored intervention to promote PA among 90 inactive breast cancer survivors. We demonstrated that a tailored web-based approach is acceptable and feasible to reach and recruit inactive BCS. Furthermore, we demonstrated that weekly tailoring is an effective technique to promote moderate increases in walking steps (d=0.49 to 0.63), reduce sedentary time (p<0.05), and increase goal-setting behaviors (p<0.05) when compared to targeting. Finally, in aim 3, we evaluated the mediational role of the Self-determination Theory to promote PA. While we did not find any significant mediators, there appeared to be a moderating effect of autonomous and controlled motivation on step activity. Our findings suggest that the Fitbit Zip is valid for measuring step activity, however, until more refined activity intensity algorithms are developed, it may serve best as a health promotion tool. Our study also suggests that an online, tailored, intervention is not only feasible to implement, but may also promote PA engagement and improve PA goal-achievement among inactive BCS.
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  • In Copyright
Advisor
  • Tate, Deborah
  • Ward, Dianne
  • Battaglini, Claudio L.
  • Mayer, Deborah
  • Truesdale, Kimberly
Degree
  • Doctor of Philosophy
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Graduate School
Graduation year
  • 2014
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  • Chapel Hill, NC
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  • This item is restricted from public view for 1 year after publication.
Date uploaded
  • April 22, 2015

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