Pink Warrior 2: Teleconference-based Gaming Support

Purpose

Breast cancer survivors, from diagnosis until the end of life, go through many transitions. One major transition is the significant decrease of physical activity immediately after diagnosis. Despite the known benefits of physical activity-speeding recovery time and reduced cancer recurrence risk-only 1 in 3 survivors met physical activity recommendations of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week. Physical activity interventions have shown effectiveness in helping breast cancer survivors increase physical activity during treatment, but limited evidence-based physical activity interventions have been incorporated into the clinic and community. To address this limitation, the investigators are partnering with the UTMB breast cancer support group to conduct a 12-week physical activity intervention, Pink Warrior. The goal of this study is to compare an intervention that uses active games versus an intervention uses pedometer to encourage physical activity such as walking within breast cancer survivors in active cancer treatment. The study will include breast cancer survivor between the ages of 18 - 70 whom currently gets less than 150 minutes of planned physical activity per week and received a breast cancer diagnosis within 0 to 6 months. Participants will be randomized to participate in the support group using the active video game-based physical activity intervention (Wii and Xbox active games) or to participate in the existing UTMB breast cancer support group with pedometers (Digi-Walker CW-700/701). The investigators hypothesize that by engaging in active video gaming, breast cancer survivors will be motivated to initiate and maintain physical activity during treatment. This will ultimately increase functional capacity and prevent functional disability in breast cancer survivors.

Conditions

  • Breast Cancer
  • Physical Activity

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 55 Years and 79 Years
Eligible Genders
Female
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  1. Provide informed consent 2. Diagnosed with primary female breast cancer 3. 55 years to 79 4. Able to speak, read, and write in English 5. Able to travel to UTMB locations and/or MD Anderson Victory Lakes 6. Able to move arms and les as well as ambulate 7. Has a smartphone, tablet or computer and daily access to a reliable internet

Exclusion Criteria

  1. Pregnancy 2. Diagnosed dementia 3. Currently engage in 150 minutes or more of planned moderate intensity physical activity 4. Currently involved in another physical activity intervention

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Other
Masking
Single (Outcomes Assessor)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Active video game teleconference support group
Participants will attend enhanced support group meetings via zoom teleconferencing software. Support group meetings will include group play of active video games and discussion of survivorship topics. Participants will self-monitor physical activity using Fitbit wearable activity monitors and will receive a water bottle and tote bag.
  • Behavioral: Active video game teleconference support group
    12 sessions of teleconferenced support group meetings, including active video game play + self-paced walking monitored by Fitbit wearable device
Active Comparator
Standard support group + pedometer
Participants will attend standard in-person support groups currently offered by the UTMB Breast Health Center. They will also receive a standard pedometer and a water bottle and tote bag.
  • Behavioral: Standard support group + pedometer
    3 monthly sessions of in-person standard support group meetings + self-paced walking monitored by pedometer

More Details

Status
Completed
Sponsor
The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston

Study Contact

Detailed Description

Increasing and maintaining physical activity among female breast cancer (BC) survivors during treatment remains an unresolved problem in BC survivorship care. BC survivors, from diagnosis until the end of life, go through many transitions. One major transition is the significant decline of physical activity immediately after diagnosis. Despite the known benefits of physical activity-speeding recovery time and reduced cancer recurrence risk-less than 30% of survivors met physical activity recommendations. Physical activity interventions have shown effectiveness in helping BC survivors increase activity during treatment, but limited evidence-based activity interventions have been disseminated into the clinic and community. To address this limitation, we are partnering with the UTMB breast cancer support group to conduct a 12-week physical activity intervention, Pink Warrior, which will investigate the feasibility of implementing active video game-based physical activity intervention among BC survivors undergoing treatment within the support group setting. Participants (N = 60) will be randomized to participate in the support group using the active video game-based physical activity intervention or to participate in the existing UTMB breast cancer support group with pedometers. Our specific aims are: Aim 1: Evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of active video game-based physical activity intervention among BC survivors undergoing treatment within the support group setting. Measures of feasibility will include weekly attendance records, number of completed home-based worksheets, number of participants completing the program activities, technological issues, and adverse events. Aim 2: Compare the support group using the active video game-based physical activity intervention to the existing UTMB breast cancer support group with pedometer. Primary outcomes will be changes in physical activity. Secondary outcomes will be changes in physical function, dietary pattern, and quality of life. Aim 3: Develop tools for implementation of the Pink Warrior intervention within the clinic and community settings. A trainer's manual for the Pink Warrior intervention will be developed and UTMB Breast Cancer Support Group facilitators will be trained by research staff to implement the program.