A Group-based Videoconferencing Intervention To Increase Physical Activity, Fitness, And Group Cohesion In Cancer Survivors

Abstract

PURPOSE: Group-based videoconferencing presents a viable and innovative way to help cancer survivors increase physical activity (PA), improve fitness outcomes, and connect with other participants. This study examined the effects of a pilot intervention on PA, muscular endurance, and group cohesion. METHODS: Single-arm 8-week intervention, consisting of circuit-style aerobic and resistance exercise sessions 1x/week, and PA behavior change discussion sessions. All components were delivered in real time via Zoom in groups of 4-6 participants. Differences in aerobic and resistance PA (Godin-Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire), and upper and lower body muscular endurance (30 second arm curl and sit-to-stand tests) from pre- to post-intervention were evaluated using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Group cohesion was measured at post-program using the PA Group Exercise Questionnaire (PAGE-Q). Median and interquartile range was calculated for total score and the subscales: attraction the group-task (ATG-T), and -social (ATG-S), group integration- task (GI-T), and -social (GI-S). RESULTS: Participants (N = 39) were M = 60 ± 10 years old, 97.4% female, and diagnosed with ovarian (56.4%), breast (30.8%) or other (12.8%) cancer. Completion rate was 89.7% (N = 35) and adherence was 88.2% for exercise and 87.0% for discussion sessions. From baseline to post-intervention, there was a difference in aerobic PA (MΔ = +82.77 ± 164.18 mins/week, p = .0059) resistance PA (MΔ + 37.37 ± 39.38 mins/week, p = .0001), number of sit-to-stand repetitions (MΔ = +1.58 ± 2.54, p = .0005) and arm curl repetitions (MΔ = +5.96 ± 7.24, p = .000). Median scores for PAGE-Q were: ATG-T = 7.5 (7-8), ATG-S = 6.2 (4.8-7.2), GI-T = 5.8 (5-6.8), GI-S = 4.5 (2.8-5.5), and Total = 5.8 (5.2-6.7). CONCLUSIONS: PA, upper and lower body muscular endurance increased following an 8-week group-based videoconference intervention. Group cohesion was lower than reported in previously published face-to-face PA interventions, but in those studies, exercise session frequency was higher (2-3x per week) and duration was longer than 8-weeks. Future studies should include a control condition to confirm the efficacy of a videoconferencing intervention, and compare group cohesion to a dose-matched face-to-face intervention.