The Feasibility of an Online Maintenance Exercise Program for Cancer Survivors Supported by Health Coaching
Date
2021-06-09
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Abstract
Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an online synchronous group-based exercise maintenance program supported with health coaching (HC) for cancer survivors. A secondary objective was to provide preliminary evidence of the impact of a HC-supported exercise maintenance program on PA levels, psychosocial well-being, symptom management, and coping with COVID-19 isolation. Methods: Participants were recruited to this study after completing the Alberta Cancer Exercise 12-week exercise program. All participants received a synchronous delivered group-based online exercise maintenance program via Zoom. Participants were randomized to receive the maintenance program only, or to receive the program plus weekly HC calls. Two waves of this program with different lengths (8-week and 12-week) occurred. Pre- and post-assessments included fitness and patient-reported outcomes, a continuous measure of objective physical activity (Garmin Viviosmart4), and semi-structured interviews. Results: Forty participants (n8WK=25; n12WK=15) enrolled in the study, n=39 completed. The study was feasible, as measured by recruitment rate (42.6%), attrition rate (2.5%), safety (no adverse events), assessment completion (questionnaires: 98.8%; physical functioning assessment: 97.5%; activity tracker: 83.4%), attendance to the exercise classes (91.2%), attendance to the HC calls (97.0%.), and fidelity of the intervention protocols (exercise class: 92.6%; HC: 96.7%). Based on the qualitative feedback, a key facilitator to the online programing was the convenience, whereas a limitation was the ability to connect with other cancer survivors. The mean call length of the HC calls was 34.2±13.2 minutes and facilitators for HC were having a connection with the coach, receiving tailored educational topics, and having an active listener that keeps one accountable. Conclusion: Overall, the synchronous online delivery of exercise classes, the additional HC support, and the tools used to measure the effect of these interventions were feasible and safe for cancer survivors. The findings of this work may inform a future fully-powered trial testing the efficacy of such programing in supporting cancer survivors to maintain an active lifestyle.
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Keywords
health coaching, exercise, physical activity, maintenance, cancer survivors, online-delivery, mHealth
Citation
Eisele, M. M. (2021). The Feasibility of an Online Maintenance Exercise Program for Cancer Survivors Supported by Health Coaching (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.