Trial Information

There is evidence that cancer diagnosis and treatment during young adulthood puts survivors
at risk for a number of medical and psychosocial difficulties including cardiovascular
disease, second cancers and psychological distress. The proposed research is aimed at
developing a physical activity and relaxation intervention for young adult cancer survivors
in order to address some of their medical and psychosocial risks. The objective of the study
is to pilot test a 12-week physical activity and relaxation intervention in this population.
We hypothesize that the intervention will be feasible for and acceptable to young adult
cancer survivors. We also hypothesize that the intervention group will demonstrate
increased levels of physical activity, improved mood and reduced fatigue relative to the
wait list control group at the 12-week and 24-week follow-up assessments; statistically
significant differences may not be found due to the small sample size, however. In
addition, we will conduct exploratory tests of intervention effects on fitness, flexibility,
body mass, and waist circumference. Sixty participants will be recruited for the pilot
study. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive a 12-week physical activity and
relaxation intervention or to a wait list control group. Intervention group participants
will receive 12 weeks of behavior change counseling, based on the Transtheoretical Model and
Social Cognitive Theory, to help them adopt a program of brisk walking and learn mindfulness
meditation. They will also be given access to an online discussion group. Participants in
both arms of the study will be assessed at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. Following the
24-week assessment, wait list control participants will offered the 12-week intervention and
one additional assessment (i.e., at 36 weeks). Data will be collected on intervention
feasibility (e.g., number of counseling sessions delivered) and acceptability (e.g., general
satisfaction ratings). ANCOVAs will be used to conduct preliminary tests of intervention
effects (e.g., on physical activity, mood, and fatigue).