Text Messages for Cancer Survivors

Overseen By Bianca SantaMaria, MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Arizona

Disqualifiers: Psychiatric disorders, Physical disorders, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

44 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 Eat, Play, Sleep for cancer survivors?

Research shows that text message interventions can help cancer survivors increase physical activity and improve well-being. Programs like ICanSTEP and THRIVE have shown that personalized text messages can motivate cancer survivors to be more active and engage in health-promoting behaviors. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the text message intervention safe for cancer survivors?

The text message interventions for cancer survivors have been found to be feasible and acceptable, with no reported safety concerns in the studies. Participants generally engaged well with the interventions, suggesting they are safe for use in promoting healthy behaviors. ^{2 4 6 7 8}

How does the text messaging treatment for cancer survivors differ from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it uses text messages to support cancer survivors by promoting well-being, health knowledge, and behaviors, which is different from traditional treatments that focus on medical interventions. It leverages the convenience and accessibility of mobile phones to engage patients in their own care, which is not typically a feature of standard cancer treatments. ^{4 9 10 11 12}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Health behavior text message content will be delivered daily over 4-weeks to cancer survivor/caregiver dyads.

Research Team

Meghan B Skiba, PhD, MS, MPH, RDN

Principal Investigator

University of Arizona

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 who've had solid tumor cancer, finished treatment at least a month ago, and struggle with diet, exercise or sleep. They need a mobile phone and a caregiver to join the study. Those with severe mental or physical conditions that could affect participation are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

I finished my main cancer treatment over a month ago.

I can give consent in English or Spanish.

I was diagnosed with a solid tumor cancer.

Exclusion Criteria

I do not meet any of the previously mentioned criteria.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive daily text messages promoting dietary quality, physical activity, and sleep hygiene

4 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in health behaviors after the intervention

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Eat, Play, Sleep

Trial Overview The 'Eat, Play, Sleep' program sends daily health behavior texts for four weeks to pairs of cancer survivors and their caregivers to improve dietary habits, physical activity levels, and sleep quality.

Participant Groups

Group I: Sleep Hygiene Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Receive daily text messages for promoting sleep hygiene.

Group II: Physical Activity Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Receive daily text messages for promoting physical activity.

Group III: Dietary Quality Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Receive daily text messages for promoting dietary quality.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Arizona

Lead Sponsor

Trials

545

Recruited

161,000+

Findings from Research

The Untire mHealth app significantly improved fatigue severity and quality of life in cancer patients and survivors, with 519 participants in the intervention group showing better outcomes compared to 280 in the control group over 12 weeks.

Participants who used the app more frequently experienced the greatest benefits, indicating that higher engagement with the app correlates with improved management of cancer-related fatigue.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Beating cancer-related fatigue with the Untire mobile app: Results from a waiting-list randomized controlled trial. Spahrkäs, SS., Looijmans, A., Sanderman, R., et al.[2021]

In a pilot study involving 30 cancer patients, the use of a wearable activity tracker combined with personalized text message feedback led to 39% of participants increasing their daily steps by at least 20% over 3 months.

The intervention was well-received, with 72% of participants continuing to use the activity tracker at least 4 days a week after 6 months, suggesting it may effectively promote physical activity among cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Increasing physical activity in Cancer Survivors through a Text-messaging Exercise motivation Program (ICanSTEP). Koontz, BF., Levine, E., McSherry, F., et al.[2022]

The AWAKE program, an 8-week app-based intervention for young adult cancer survivors, showed high retention and satisfaction rates, with participants finding the content relevant and beneficial for discussing their experiences positively.

While the study involved a small sample size (n=38 for AWAKE and n=18 for attention control), there were positive trends in hope and quality of life outcomes, suggesting that hope-based interventions could help young adults reorient their goals after cancer treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Hope-Based Intervention to Address Disrupted Goal Pursuits and Quality of Life Among Young Adult Cancer Survivors. Berg, CJ., Vanderpool, RC., Getachew, B., et al.[2021]

The CHAT intervention, a 4-week mobile health program for African American breast cancer survivors, demonstrated high participant engagement and acceptability, with 85% of participants reporting positive behavior changes.

Participants in the intervention group significantly reduced their sedentary time by 4.37 hours per day and decreased fast food intake by 1.5 servings, indicating the potential effectiveness of mobile technology in improving health behaviors among this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Pilot and Feasibility Mobile Health Intervention to Support Healthy Behaviors in African American Breast Cancer Survivors. Allicock, M., Kendzor, D., Sedory, A., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 52 cancer survivors, no significant differences were found in discomfort, interference, or wear-time compliance between a wrist-worn accelerometer (Actiwatch-2) and a thigh-worn accelerometer (activPAL) over a 7-day period.

Qualitative feedback indicated that while participants reported more interferences with the wrist device, they found the thigh device to be more comfortable, suggesting that user preferences may influence adherence to wear-time guidelines.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Evaluation of Participant Perspectives and Wear-Time Compliance for a Wrist-Worn Versus Thigh-Worn Accelerometer in Cancer Survivors. Hidde, MC., Crisafio, ME., Gomes, E., et al.[2023]

A pilot study involving 19 participants, predominantly Hispanic cancer survivors and their caregivers, found that a two-week text message intervention based on American Cancer Society guidelines was feasible and acceptable, with over 80% recruitment and retention rates.

Participants reported a higher acceptability for physical activity messages (94%) compared to nutrition messages (86%), indicating that text messaging could effectively promote lifestyle changes in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Text Message Intervention to Promote Adherence to Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines in a Predominantly Hispanic Sample of Cancer Survivors and Their Informal Caregivers: Results from a Pilot Intervention Trial. Lopez-Pentecost, M., Perkin, S., Freylersythe, S., et al.[2023]

The study analyzed 1550 SMS messages and 4071 participant replies, finding that supportive and informative messages significantly reduced the likelihood of participants prematurely stopping the program, while notification messages increased the chance of stopping.

Machine learning models effectively categorized message intent and participant replies, showing that informative and instructional messages boosted engagement, while motivational messages did not have a significant impact.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Text Message Analysis Using Machine Learning to Assess Predictors of Engagement With Mobile Health Chronic Disease Prevention Programs: Content Analysis. Klimis, H., Nothman, J., Lu, D., et al.[2022]

Text messaging (SMS) is a promising tool for enhancing cancer care by improving communication, adherence to treatment, and patient engagement, as it is more convenient and personalized than other methods like email.

Despite the potential benefits, there are currently few successful examples of SMS interventions in cancer care, highlighting a gap in implementation that needs to be addressed for better patient outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Text Messaging in Oncology: A Review of the Landscape. Mougalian, SS., Gross, CP., Hall, EK.[2019]

A text messaging system was developed and tested with input from adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors, showing high acceptability and feasibility for improving survivorship care, including reminders for late effect screenings.

Participants found the system useful for connecting with community resources and suggested it could enhance survivorship care visits and foster social networks among AYA survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development of a text messaging system to improve receipt of survivorship care in adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer. Casillas, J., Goyal, A., Bryman, J., et al.[2018]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Beating cancer-related fatigue with the Untire mobile app: Results from a waiting-list randomized controlled trial. [2021]

2. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Increasing physical activity in Cancer Survivors through a Text-messaging Exercise motivation Program (ICanSTEP). [2022]

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

A Hope-Based Intervention to Address Disrupted Goal Pursuits and Quality of Life Among Young Adult Cancer Survivors. [2021]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and acceptability of a pilot tailored text messaging intervention for adolescents and young adults completing cancer treatment. [2021]

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

Feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of a text message-enhanced clinical exercise rehabilitation intervention for increasing 'whole-of-day' activity in people living with and beyond cancer. [2020]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Pilot and Feasibility Mobile Health Intervention to Support Healthy Behaviors in African American Breast Cancer Survivors. [2022]

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

An Evaluation of Participant Perspectives and Wear-Time Compliance for a Wrist-Worn Versus Thigh-Worn Accelerometer in Cancer Survivors. [2023]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Text Message Intervention to Promote Adherence to Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines in a Predominantly Hispanic Sample of Cancer Survivors and Their Informal Caregivers: Results from a Pilot Intervention Trial. [2023]

9. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Text Message Analysis Using Machine Learning to Assess Predictors of Engagement With Mobile Health Chronic Disease Prevention Programs: Content Analysis. [2022]

10. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Text Message Responsivity in a 2-Way Short Message Service Pilot Intervention With Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Cancer. [2020]

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

Text Messaging in Oncology: A Review of the Landscape. [2019]

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

Development of a text messaging system to improve receipt of survivorship care in adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer. [2018]