Evaluating the feasibility of a novel approach to increasing physical activity levels in breast cancer survivors : a RE-AIM analysis

Translating research interventions into community practice is critical for improving population level health. Project MOVE, is an innovative real-world approach to increasing physical activity (PA) levels in breast cancer (BC) survivors. BC survivors were given the opportunity to develop and implement a PA program with the help of action grants (microgrants and financial incentives). Utilising action grants towards increasing PA in BC survivors is both innovative and unique to the BC related literature, thus evaluating this novel approach is warranted. This study evaluated the feasibility of Project MOVE in terms of acceptability, practicality and satisfaction utilising the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework. A mixed-methods design was used to inform each RE-AIM dimension, via questionnaires (n=87), focus groups (n=10) and interviews (n=10). Reach was evaluated by the proportion of targeted individuals recruited. Effectiveness was evaluated by objective and perceived changes in PA. Adoption was evaluated by participant’s perceptions of process and acceptability to uptaking the program. Implementation was examined by barriers and facilitators to implementing the program as intended. Lastly, Maintenance was evaluated by participant retention and maintenance of PA. Assessments occurred at baseline and six months. The current study revealed that Project MOVE was well received by BC survivors. In terms of Reach, 82% of participants were BC survivors; Effectiveness, participants significantly increased PA levels from baseline to six months (p<0.001) and 72.3% felt Project MOVE helped increase PA levels; Adoption, 92.2% reported Project MOVE was highly appropriate for the BC survivor population and was accepted by 95.6% of BC survivors; Implementation, program focused on fitness rather than disease was important for engagement, leaders with BC and exercise expertise was essential to accommodate population specific barriers, and including other health education resources is warranted; Maintenance, participant retention was 83% at six months, 47% of participants reported they still engaged in PA together as a group and 87.5% were confident they would continue to be regularly active post-intervention. The present findings suggest Project MOVE is an acceptable and practical strategy for increasing PA among inactive BC survivors, particularly when it is delivered in a safe and supportive group environment.Graduate Studies, College of (Okanagan)Graduat

A preliminary trial examining a ‘real world’ approach for increasing physical activity among breast cancer survivors: findings from project MOVE

Background: Physical activity (PA) is a safe and effective strategy to help mitigate health challenges associated with breast cancer (BC) survivorship. However, the majority of BC survivors are not meeting the minimum recommended PA (≥150 min of moderate to vigorous intensity). Project MOVE was developed as a model for increasing PA that combined a) Microgrants: funds ($2000) awarded to applicant groups to develop and implement a PA initiative and b) Financial incentives: a reward ($500) for increasing group PA. The purpose of this paper was to provide an exploratory analysis of effectiveness of Project MOVE on PA behavior, PA motivation, and quality of life (QoL) in female BC survivors. The differential outcomes between women meeting and not meeting PA guidelines were also investigated. Methods: This pre-post test, preliminary trial included groups of adult (18+ years) self-identified female BC survivors, who were post-surgery and primary systemic chemo- and radiation therapy, and living in British Columbia, Canada. PA was assessed by accelerometry. PA motivation and QoL were assessed by self-report. Data were collected at baseline, 6-months, and 12-month time points. Repeated measures mixed ANOVAs were used to test changes in the main outcomes. Results: A total of 10 groups were awarded microgrants between May 2015 and January 2016. Groups comprised of 8 to 12 women with a total of 87 participants. A statistically significant increase was found between time points on weekly moderate to vigorous PA (p = .012). This was mediated by a significant interaction between those meeting PA guidelines and those not meeting guidelines at baseline by time points (p = .004), with those not meeting guidelines at baseline showing the greatest increase in MVPA. A statistically significant difference across time points was found for intrinsic motivation (p = .02), physical functioning (p < .001), physical health limitations (p = .001), emotional health limitations (p = .023), social functioning (p = .001) and general health (p = .004). Conclusion: These results provide promising support for a unique approach to increasing PA among BC survivors by empowering women and optimizing PA experiences through the use of microgrants and financial incentives. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03548636 , Retrospectively registered June 7, 2018.Health and Social Development, Faculty of (Okanagan)Medicine, Faculty ofOther UBCNon UBCHealth and Exercise Sciences, School of (Okanagan)Nursing, School of (Okanagan)Physical Therapy, Department ofPopulation and Public Health (SPPH), School ofReviewedFacult