Abstract
PurposeLittle is known about how to improve and create sustainable lifestyle behaviors of cancer survivors. Interventions based on social cognitive theory (SCT) have shown promise. This review examined the effect of SCT-based physical activity and nutrition interventions that target cancer survivors and identified factors associated with their efficacy.MethodsA systematic search of seven databases identified randomized controlled trials that (i) targeted adult cancer survivors (any point from diagnosis); (ii) reported a primary outcome of physical activity, diet, or weight management; and (iii) included an SCT-based intervention targeting physical activity or diet. Qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis were conducted. Theoretical constructs and intervention characteristics were examined to identify factors associated with intervention efficacy.ResultsEighteen studies (reported in 33 publications) met review inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis (n = 12) revealed a significant intervention effect for physical activity (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.33; P < 0.01). Most studies (six out of eight) that targeted dietary change reported significant improvements in at least one aspect of diet quality. No SCT constructs were associated with intervention effects. There were no consistent trends relating to intervention delivery method or whether the intervention targeted single or multiple behaviors.ConclusionsSCT-based interventions demonstrate promise in improving physical activity and diet behavior in cancer survivors, using a range of intervention delivery modes. Further work is required to understand how and why these interventions offer promise for improving behavior.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsSCT-based interventions targeting diet or physical activity are safe and result in meaningful changes to diet and physical activity behavior that can result in health improvements.
Highlights
Due to population growth and aging and improved cancer detection and treatment, the number of cancer survivors is increasing [1, 2]
This review examined physical activity (PA) and diet behavior change interventions based on social cognitive theory (SCT) in cancer survivors with mixed diagnoses both during and after completion of cancer treatment [42]
This review supports the efficacy of SCT-based interventions in changing PA and diet behavior in cancer survivors
Summary
Due to population growth and aging and improved cancer detection and treatment, the number of cancer survivors is increasing [1, 2]. Diet and PA play a role in energy balance and weight management, an independent predictor of cancer risk, and risk of recurrence and mortality [14] and contribute to the development of other chronic diseases, like diabetes and cardiovascular disease [15,16,17] For these reasons, guidelines recommend PA (both aerobic and resistance), healthy diet, and healthy weight management for improving the health and well-being [8, 9, 14, 18,19,20,21] of cancer survivors across all phases of the cancer continuum [22]. Despite the potential impact of behavior on improved health outcomes, cancer survivors’ compliance with health recommendations remains less than optimal and is similar to the general population [23,24,25]
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