Purpose To explore breast cancer survivors’ interest in and preferences for technology-supported exercise interventions. Methods Post-treatment survivors [n=279; Mage=60.7(SD=9.7)] completed a battery of online questionnaires in August 2015. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all data. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine relationships between survivors’ interest in a technology-supported exercise interventions and demographic, disease and behavioral factors. These same factors were examined in relation to perceived effectiveness of such interventions using multiple regression analyses. Results About half (53.4%) of survivors self-reported meeting public health recommendations for physical activity. Fewer than half reported using an exercise or diet mobile app (41.2%) or owning an activity tracker (40.5%). The majority were interested in receiving remotely-delivered exercise counseling (84.6%), participating in a remotely delivered exercise intervention (79.5%) and using an exercise app or website (68%). Survivors reported the most helpful technology-supported intervention components would be: an activity tracker (89.5%); personalized feedback (81.2%); and feedback on how exercise is influencing mood, fatigue, etc. (73.6%). Components rated as least helpful were social networking integration (31.2%), group competitions (33.9%) and ability to see others’ progress (35.1%). Conclusions Preferences for technology-supported exercise interventions varied among breast cancer survivors. Nonetheless, data indicate that technology-supported interventions may be feasible and acceptable. Engaging stakeholders may be important in developing and testing potential intervention components.
Incorporating peer and professional social support features into remotely delivered, technology-supported physical activity interventions may increase their effectiveness. However, very little is known about survivors’ preferences for potential social features. This study explored breast cancer survivors’ preferences for both traditional (e.g., coaching calls and peer support) and innovative (i.e., message boards and competitions) social support features within remotely delivered, technology-supported physical activity interventions. Survivors [N = 96; Mage = 55.8 (SD = 10.2)] self-reported demographic and disease characteristics and physical activity. A subset (n = 28) completed semistructured phone interviews. Transcribed interviews were evaluated using a thematic content analysis approach and consensus review. Following interviews, the full sample self-reported preferences for social features for remotely delivered physical activity interventions via online questionnaires. Questionnaire data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Four themes emerged from interview data: (a) technology increases social connectedness; (b) interest in professional involvement/support; (c) connecting with similar survivors; and (d) apprehension regarding competitive social features. Quantitative data indicated that most survivors were interested in social features including a coach (77.1 per cent), team (66.7 per cent), and exercise buddy (57.3 per cent). Survivors endorsed sharing their activity data with their team (80.0 per cent) and buddy (76.6 per cent), but opinions were mixed regarding a progress board ranking their activity in relation to other participants’ progress. Survivors were interested in using a message board to share strategies to increase activity (74.5 per cent) and motivational comments (73.4 per cent). Social features are of overall interest to breast cancer survivors, yet preferences for specific social support features varied. Engaging survivors in developing and implementing remotely delivered, technology-supported social features may enhance their effectiveness.
Purpose Physical activity (PA) has been consistently associated with improved self-esteem in breast cancer survivors. However, this relationship is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to examine whether changes in PA and self-efficacy influenced changes in self-esteem in breast cancer survivors across six-months. Increases in PA were hypothesized to result in increases in self-efficacy which were hypothesized to influence increases in physical self-worth and global self-esteem. Methods Breast cancer survivors (n=370; Mage = 56.04) wore accelerometers to measure PA and completed measures of self-efficacy (e.g., exercise and barriers self-efficacy), physical self-worth, and global self-esteem at baseline and 6 months. Results The hypothesized model provided a good fit to the data (χ2 =67.56, df = 26, p <.001; CFI = .98; SRMR = .05). Women with higher activity at baseline reported significantly higher levels of barrier (β = .29) and exercise (β = .23) self-efficacy. In turn, more efficacious women reported significantly higher physical self-worth (β = .26, .16). Finally, higher physical self-worth was significantly associated with greater global self-esteem (β = .47). Relationships were similar among changes in model constructs over 6 months. After controlling for covariates, the hypothesized model provided an excellent fit to the data (χ2 =59.93, df = 33, p =.003; CFI = .99; SRMR = .03). Conclusion Our findings provide support for the role played by PA and self-efficacy in positive self-esteem, a key component of well-being. Highlighting successful PA mastery experiences is likely to enhance self-efficacy and improve self-esteem in this population.
Background Emerging evidence indicates increased sedentary behavior is associated with poorer health outcomes and quality of life among cancer survivors. However, very little is known about which factors are associated with increased sedentary behavior. The purpose of the present study was to examine potential correlates of sedentary behavior among breast cancer survivors. Methods We used hierarchical general linear modeling to examine the associations between demographic, disease specific and psychosocial factors at baseline and accelerometer-estimated daily proportion of time spent sedentary at 6 months in breast cancer survivors [n=342; Mage= 56.7 (SD=9.4)]. All models adjusted for objectively measured moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity and sedentary behavior at baseline. Results The final model including all baseline potential predictor variables and physical activity and sedentary behavior explained 49.8% of the variance in the proportion of daily time spent sedentary at 6 months. The following factors were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with increased sedentary behavior among breast cancer survivors: higher number of comorbidities, more advanced disease stage, and increased fatigue severity. Additionally, being treated with surgery and chemotherapy was significantly related to a lower proportion of time spent sedentary compared to women who had received surgery alone. Conclusions This study provides preliminary insight into factors associated with sedentary behavior in breast cancer survivors. Future research is warranted to understand the potential demographic, disease-specific, psychosocial correlates of sedentary behavior to determine which correlates are potential mechanisms of behavior change and intervention targets.
Objective Prostate cancer (PC) and its treatment often result in chronic, negative side‐effects that affect both patients and their romantic partners. Illness uncertainty is a chronic stressor that impacts PC patients and their partners and, if left unmanaged, predicts decreased interpersonal functioning and quality of life (QOL) after treatment is complete. This study explored associations among psychosocial constructs, measured from both partners during the first year following a PC diagnosis, to better understand both partners' experiences and identify potential intervention targets for improving QOL. Methods Couples (N = 165) in which one partner was undergoing treatment for PC were recruited from the Duke University Medical Center of Urology. Patients and their partners were surveyed at four time points: diagnosis and 1‐, 6‐, and 12‐months post treatment. An Actor‐Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) framework was used to examine associations among perceived partner support, nonsupportive behaviors, illness uncertainty, relationship satisfaction, and physical and mental QOL. Results Partners feeling more supported at diagnosis was related to patients feeling more supported at 6 months. When patients' illness uncertainty decreased between diagnosis and 1 month, partners reported feeling more supported and engaging in fewer nonsupportive behaviors at 6‐months post‐treatment. Finally, partners' reports of support at 6 months predicted patients' 12‐month ratings of physical and mental QOL and relationship satisfaction. Conclusions Findings highlight psychological interdependence between PC patients and their partners. Future interventions to improve long‐term QOL in couples facing PC may benefit by targeting both partner support and illness uncertainty.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.