Preventing weight gain in African American breast cancer survivors using smart scales and activity trackers: a randomized controlled pilot study.

Abstract

This study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of two 6-month, self-regulation interventions that focused on daily self-weighing (DSW) and used objective monitoring and tailored feedback about weight (±activity), to prevent weight gain among African American breast cancer survivors. Participants (n=35) were randomized to an intervention + activity monitoring (INT+), intervention (INT), or control (CON) group. Interventions included a wireless scale (±activity tracker) that transmitted objective data to a mobile app/website, emailed lessons, and tailored feedback based on objective weight (±activity data). Participants completed in-person and online assessments at baseline, 3months, and 6months. Ninety-four percent of participants completed assessments at 3months, and 97% at 6months. Median (IQR) weight change after 6months was -0.9% (-4.4-0.1) in the INT+ (p=0.075; p=0.067 vs. CON) and -0.2% (-4.2-1.3) in the INT groups (p=0.463; p=0.357 vs. CON), versus a 0.2% (-0.7-1.7) gain in the CON group. The proportion of INT+, INT, and CON participants that were at or below baseline weight was 72.7, 53.8, and 45.5%, respectively (effect sizes d=0.64, d=0.18). Most INT+ participants weighed and wore trackers ≥5days/week (INT+, 81.9% vs. INT, 38.5% vs. CON, 0%; p<0.0005; INT+, 72.7%). Both intervention groups perceived DSW as positive, and 100% would recommend the program to other breast cancer survivors. An intervention focused on DSW as a self-monitoring strategy shows promise for preventing weight gain in breast cancer survivors. Daily self-monitoring of weight and activity may be a feasible and accessible approach to promote weight gain prevention in breast cancer survivors. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02030353.