Social Support Interventions for Cancer Prevention

Not currently recruiting at 1 trial location

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Lactation, Recent study participation

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if joining a program with a partner can boost physical activity through social support and technology. It focuses on African American and Hispanic women, utilizing tools like activity trackers, smartphone apps, and newsletters. Participants will monitor each other's activity and receive support through counseling and resources. Ideal candidates are women who can perform moderate activities but currently exercise less than 90 minutes a week and can join with a female friend or family member. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance community health and wellness.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this social support intervention is safe for participants?

Research has shown that support from friends and family can encourage people to be more active, particularly among African American and Hispanic women. Encouragement to exercise increases the likelihood of maintaining the habit and improving health.

This study tests a method to use social networks to boost exercise. It involves an activity tracker, a smartphone app, newsletters, and regular phone check-ins. This approach is generally safe, as it does not involve drugs or medical procedures. Instead, it focuses on motivation and support, which participants in similar studies have found manageable.

Previous research has not identified any major safety issues with this approach. Participants typically find it helpful and engaging, indicating both safety and effectiveness. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how social support and technology might boost physical activity in African American and Hispanic women, populations often facing health disparities. Unlike traditional exercise programs that rely on in-person group classes or individual gym sessions, this approach leverages social networks and digital tools like activity trackers and smartphone apps to encourage a more active lifestyle. By integrating biweekly and monthly counseling with personalized electronic newsletters, the trial aims to create a supportive and motivational environment that could lead to sustainable behavior changes. This innovative method could pave the way for more accessible and culturally sensitive interventions in cancer prevention.

What evidence suggests that using social networks can promote physical activity in African American and Hispanic women?

Research has shown that social networks can effectively increase physical activity, especially among African American women. In this trial, participants in Group 1 will receive an intervention that includes an activity tracker, smartphone application, electronic newsletters, and telephone counseling to promote physical activity. Studies have found that support from friends and family greatly influences activity levels and helps reduce obesity. A review discovered that programs using social support are more successful in promoting physical activity when combined with healthy eating. Another study suggested that incorporating exercise into social gatherings can help create lasting habits. This method leverages the strength of community and relationships to encourage people to stay active. Participants in Group 2, the control group, will receive electronic newsletters throughout the study. ^{3 4 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Larkin Strong

Principal Investigator

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for African American and Hispanic women aged 25-60 who are physically able to do some exercise, can speak English at a sixth-grade level or higher, and have less than 90 minutes of physical activity per week. They must join with a non-spousal female friend or family member and have a smartphone.

Inclusion Criteria

I am cleared to do light to moderate physical activities.

I have a smartphone that can access the internet and download apps.

Self-reported AA race or Hispanic ethnicity (all participants except partners)

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnancy or lactation

Participation in the last 90 days in a research study designed to promote physical activity

Participation in the pre-intervention focus groups for Intervention study participants

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Visit

Participants attend the first in-person visit to receive an activity tracker and instructions on using a smartphone application. Initial questionnaires and physical measurements are taken.

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Intervention

Participants in Group 1 receive counseling calls and newsletters, while Group 2 receives newsletters only. Activity is monitored using an activity tracker and accelerometer.

16 weeks

6 counseling calls (Group 1), 2 visits (in-person)

Midpoint Assessment

Participants complete questionnaires and assessments either over the phone or online at 8 weeks.

1 day

1 virtual visit

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for feedback and effectiveness after the intervention. Includes a final focus group to gather participant feedback.

4 weeks

1 focus group (in-person or virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Using Social Networks to Promote Physical Activity in African American and Hispanic Women

Trial Overview The study tests if having a partner in a program that tracks physical activity through an app, focus groups, electronic newsletters, questionnaires, and phone counseling helps increase participants' physical activity levels.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Group 2 - Control Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Participants sent electronic newsletters throughout the study that may help participant be more physically active. Study visits performed 2 times (1 time at the beginning of the study, and 1 time 16 weeks after beginning the study). Participants complete questionnaires 1 time at the beginning of the study, 8 weeks after joining the study, and 16 weeks after beginning the study. Participants invited to take part in a final focus group sometime after the 16-week visit.

Group II: Group 1 - Intervention Experimental Treatment 6 Interventions

Participants given an activity tracker at the given an accelerometer at each visit. Participants instructed in use of a smartphone application at the baseline visit. Participant emailed electronic newsletters to read that may help participant be more physically active. Research staff provides telephone counseling to participant and partner biweekly during weeks 1-8 (weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7), and monthly during weeks 9-16 (weeks 11 and 15). Study visits performed 2 times (1 time at the beginning of the study, and 1 time 16 weeks after beginning the study). Participants complete questionnaires 1 time at the beginning of the study, 8 weeks after joining the study, and 16 weeks after beginning the study. Participants invited to take part in a final focus group sometime after the 16-week visit.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,107

Recruited

1,813,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Women with larger social networks have better breast cancer survival rates and lower mortality risks, highlighting the importance of social relationships in cancer outcomes.

The review identifies various mechanisms, beyond just social support, such as social resources and norms, that could influence cancer outcomes, suggesting new avenues for interventions to improve patient care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A conceptual model of social networks and mechanisms of cancer mortality, and potential strategies to improve survival. Kroenke, CH.[2023]

Breast cancer survivors (N = 96, average age 55.8) showed a strong preference for social support features in technology-supported physical activity interventions, with 77.1% interested in having a coach and 66.7% in team support.

While survivors valued social connectedness and sharing activity data, there was mixed feedback on competitive features, indicating a need for tailored approaches in designing these interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Breast cancer survivors' preferences for social support features in technology-supported physical activity interventions: findings from a mixed methods evaluation. Lloyd, GR., Hoffman, SA., Welch, WA., et al.[2021]

A 10-week pilot study with 10 breast cancer survivors showed that using the MapMyFitness app and a Facebook-based health education intervention significantly increased physical activity levels, with participants averaging an additional 2.6 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity and 1,657 more steps per day.

Participants also experienced notable health improvements, including a decrease in weight by 2.4 kg and body fat percentage by 2.3%, along with enhanced social support and quality of life, indicating that technology-based interventions can be effective for promoting health in breast cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of smartphone application and social media intervention on breast cancer survivors' health outcomes. Pope, Z., Lee, JE., Zeng, N., et al.[2019]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5976839/

The power of social networks and social support in ... A growing number of studies have investigated the relationship between social support, social networks, PA and obesity specifically among African Americans.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4860177/

Interventions Promoting Physical Activity in African American ... The purpose of this review was to identify intervention strategies and outcomes in studies designed to promote PA in African American women.

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02736903

Mobile-based Online Social Network Intervention to ... The findings suggest creating physical activity as a normative behavior within African American women's social networks may be an effective way to establish, ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/316097423_Physical_activity_interventions_in_African_American_women_A_systematic_review

Physical activity interventions in African American women Studies using social support along with healthy diet were found to be more efficacious in fostering physical activity among African American ...

5. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03199196

Using Social Networks to Promote Physical Activity in ... Women's preferences for a physical activity (PA) promotion intervention determined by focus groups.

6. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/323828785_The_Power_of_Social_Networks_and_Social_Support_in_Promotion_of_Physical_Activity_and_Body_Mass_Index_among_African_American_Adults

(PDF) The Power of Social Networks and Social Support in ... A growing number of studies have investigated the relationship between social support, social networks, PA and obesity specifically among African Americans; ...

7. stacks.cdc.gov stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/39439/cdc_39439_DS1.pdf

Interventions Promoting Physical Activity in African ... Promoting. PA in African American women is an essential factor in reducing the risk of heart disease and other chronic health conditions.