Peer mentoring for physical activity adoption and maintenance among breast cancer survivors: moderators of physical activity outcomes.

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

We aimed to identify the moderators of maintenance strategies' effects to assist cancer care organizations that offer peer mentoring physical activity programs. A total of 161 inactive breast cancer survivors participated in a 12-month study and were randomized to one of three conditions at baseline. American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery coaches delivered weekly calls to participants for the first 3months. During Months 4-9, participants self-monitored PA and received feedback (Reach Plus) or additionally received monthly calls from coaches (Reach Plus Phone) or weekly text/email messages (Reach Plus Message). Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was assessed using self-report and accelerometry at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12months. We examined baseline demographics, cancer-specific, and social cognitive variables as potential moderators of MVPA. Using Latent Class Models, we identified three participant profiles. The profile was used as a moderator in longitudinal mixed-effects models of MVPA. Profile 1 (44%) were married, White, in preparation, with higher income and higher social support. Profile 2 (41%) were older, office employees, African American, with higher PA self-efficacy. Profile 3 (15%) were diagnosed with stage 1 cancer, in contemplation, with higher MVPA and lower social support. At follow-ups, among those with Profile 1, Reach Plus participants had higher MVPA than other groups (f2 [Formula: see text].10). Among those with Profile 2, Reach Plus Message participants had higher mean MVPA than other groups (f2 [Formula: see text].11). Among those with Profile 3, Reach Plus Phone participants had higher MVPA than other groups, f2 [Formula: see text].11 (all ps < .05). Organizations can choose PA maintenance strategies that are most effective for survivors with specific profiles. Breast cancer survivors with specific profiles increase PA when receiving certain PA maintenance programs. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02694640 (Feb. 26, 2016).