Social Support Interventions for Cancer Prevention

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

101 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment using social networks to promote physical activity in African American and Hispanic women for cancer prevention?

Research shows that social support features, like having a coach or exercise buddy, can make physical activity programs more effective for breast cancer survivors. Additionally, using mobile apps and social media for health education has helped increase physical activity and improve health outcomes in similar groups. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is participating in social support interventions for cancer prevention safe?

Research on social support interventions, including those using social networks and social media, suggests they are generally safe for participants. These interventions have been used successfully for various health behaviors without reported safety concerns, though challenges like privacy and user engagement need attention. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does the social support intervention for cancer prevention differ from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it focuses on enhancing social support to encourage healthy lifestyle changes, such as better diet and increased physical activity, which are important for cancer prevention. Unlike traditional medical treatments, this approach leverages emotional and social networks to promote long-term health behaviors. ^{7 11 12 13 14}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this research study is to learn if enrolling in a program with a partner that involves monitoring each other's physical activity and providing support to one another can help both participants be more physically active.

Research Team

Larkin Strong

Principal Investigator

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Eligibility Criteria

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

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)

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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]

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]

References

1. England 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. [2021]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of smartphone application and social media intervention on breast cancer survivors' health outcomes. [2019]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Evidence-Based Walking Program in Oregon Communities: Step It Up! Survivors. [2021]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer mentors delivering a physical activity intervention for cancer survivors: effects among mentors. [2018]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Engaging Latina breast cancer survivors in research: building a social network research registry. [2021]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Social support for physical activity-role of Facebook with and without structured intervention. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Social Network Assessments and Interventions for Health Behavior Change: A Critical Review. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cancer prevention and control interventions using social media: user-generated approaches. [2021]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Participation in and Satisfaction with a Community-Based Physical Activity Program Among Hispanic Cancer Survivors. [2023]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Social Environments and Physical Activity Among Active Black Women. [2023]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Source and Size of Emotional and Financial-Related Social Support Network on Physical Activity Behavior Among Older Adults. [2022]

13. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The role of improved social support for healthy eating in a lifestyle intervention: Texercise Select. [2023]

14. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development and Evaluation of a Measure for Social Support Provided by Friends during Lifestyle Management Programs. [2023]