Move For Your Health for Older Cancer Survivors

Improving Physical Functioning in Older Cancer Survivors Through Light-Intensity Physical Activity

The Move for Your Health (MY Health) Pilot Study is a 12-week study for older cancer survivors to promote light physical activity. The home-based study (no travel required) will test whether a Fitbit activity tracker and health coaching can help cancer survivors be more active throughout the day.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Cancer Survivors
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Fitbit Intervention

Detailed Description

The objective is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a home-based lifestyle activity intervention to promote light-intensity activity using a whole-of-day approach. Sixty-four older cancer survivors will be randomized to either a 12-week theory-based intervention or a waitlist control. The intervention uses a Fitbit activity tracker that pairs with a smartphone app to promote awareness and enable self-monitoring of both activity and inactivity. Motivational counseling will be used to individually tailor strategies to achieve goals. Data will be collected at baseline, post-intervention (week 13), and 3-months post-intervention (week 26).

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 64
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • New Mexico
    • Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States, 87131
      • University of New Mexico

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 65 years and older (Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed in New Mexico (NM) with a loco-regionally staged cancer, completed primary treatment (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy), and not currently being treated for a recurrence. Patients with metastatic cancer are eligible with physician approval.
• Mild-to-moderate physical functional impairment (raw score between 20 and 34 on the 8-item PROMIS Physical Function survey)
• Able to speak, read, & understand English or Spanish
• Participating in less than 120 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity
• Living independently and capable of walking 3 blocks (approximately 1300 steps or 0.25 mile) without an assistive device (e.g., cane, walker) and without stopping to rest
• Own a smartphone or tablet *OR* be willing to use a study-provided smartphone capable of running the Fitbit app. Also, access to the internet or a Wi-Fi hotspot at least once per week is required. Smartphones and data plans will be provided to those individuals who are eligible but do not currently own a device capable of running the Fitbit app.
• Availability of a family member or friend to be present (for safety) during the remote assessment of physical performance tests
• Willingness to be randomized to either study arm and to wear activity trackers

Exclusion Criteria:

• Adults not able to consent
• Severe impairments (in seeing or hearing) or pre-existing medical limitations for engaging in daily light physical activity (e.g., severe orthopedic conditions, pending hip/knee replacement, dementia, oxygen dependent, chronic vertigo)
• Paid employment or volunteer position for greater than 20 hours per week (to avoid potential confounding by occupation activity/inactivity)
• Currently participating in a program (personal program, e.g., wearing an activity monitor, or structured program, e.g., another study) to decrease sedentary time or increase physical activity
• Planning to move out of New Mexico within the next year

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Experimental: Immediate Fitbit Intervention; Participants randomized to this arm receive the 12-week Fitbit intervention; participants then crossover and are observed (no health coaching) for an additional 12-weeks. The Fitbit intervention includes a Fitbit activity tracker, the free Fitbit smartphone app, and 6 Health Coaching calls.	Behavioral: Fitbit Intervention; Participants receive a Fitbit activity tracker and the free Fitbit smartphone app. A trained health coach provides technical support to set up and use the Fitbit and app. The health coach also provides motivational counseling to help participants to gradually increase the number of steps per day during the 12-weeks.
Active Comparator: Comparator: Delayed Fitbit Intervention; Wait-listed; participants maintain their usual physical activity for 12-weeks; participants then crossover and receive the full 12-week Fitbit intervention.	Behavioral: Fitbit Intervention; Participants receive a Fitbit activity tracker and the free Fitbit smartphone app. A trained health coach provides technical support to set up and use the Fitbit and app. The health coach also provides motivational counseling to help participants to gradually increase the number of steps per day during the 12-weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Time to Accrual Goal	The number of months to accrue the study sample. Accrual is part of assessing feasibility.	up to 1-year
Study Participant Retention Rate	The proportion of participants who complete the study out of the number randomized to one of two study arms. Retention is part of assessing feasibility.	24-weeks
Study Participant Adherence Rate	The proportion of participants who complete all five health coaching calls and wear the Fitbit activity tracker at least 67 days (67 days = 80% x 12 weeks). Adherence is part of assessing feasibility.	24-weeks
Number of Adverse Events Attributable to the Study	The number of adverse events attributable to or possibly attributable to the intervention will be tracked; defined as any condition that is life-threatening and results in overnight hospitalization or a physical or cardiac event serious enough to require medical attention. The number of adverse events is part of assessing feasibility.	12-weeks
Change in Self-reported Physical Function	Self-reported physical function will be assessed using the PROMIS® Item Bank v2.0 - Physical Function - Short Form 8b. Raw scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicative of better physical functioning.	12-weeks
Number of Adverse Events Attributable to the Study	The number of adverse events attributable to or possibly attributable to the intervention will be tracked; defined as any condition that is life-threatening and results in overnight hospitalization or a physical or cardiac event serious enough to require medical attention. The number of adverse events is part of assessing feasibility.	24-weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in the Number of Chair Stands During the 30-second Chair Stand Test	Physical performance will be objectively measured using the 30-second chair stand test, measured by the number of times a person comes to a full standing position from a chair in 30 seconds. Scores range from zero (cannot perform the test) to 30 or higher, with a higher number of chair stands representing stronger leg strength.	12-weeks
Change in Balance Score During the 4-stage Balance Test.	Physical performance will be objectively measured using the 4-stage balance test. The 4-stage balance test includes standing in each of four positions for up to 10 seconds: 1) feet side-by-side; 2) semi-tandem stand [one foot slightly behind but touching the other foot]; 3) tandem stand [one foot in front of the other; heel touching toe]; and 4) stand on one foot. Scores range from zero (participant refused, failed, or excluded from side-by-side test) to 5 (all four positions held for maximum time). Higher scores represent better balance.	12-weeks
Change in Number of Steps Per Day	The activPAL accelerometer/inclinometer will be used to measure steps per day. Participants will be asked to wear the monitor for 7-days. Average daily steps will be calculated as the total steps divided by the number of days the monitor was worn.	12-weeks
Change in Objective Measures of Light-intensity Physical Activity	The activPAL accelerometer/inclinometer will measure the daily minutes spent in light-intensity stepping. The average daily minutes of light-intensity stepping will be the total minutes divided by the number of days the activPAL monitor was worn. Light-intensity stepping is defined as stepping at a cadence between 75 and 99 steps per minute.	12-weeks
Change in Objective Measures of Moderate-intensity Physical Activity	The activPAL accelerometer/inclinometer will measure the daily minutes spent in moderate-intensity stepping. The average daily minutes of moderate-intensity stepping will be the total minutes divided by the number of days the activPAL monitor was worn. Moderate-intensity stepping is defined as stepping at a cadence of at least 100 steps per minute.	12-weeks
Change in Objective Measures of Sedentary Activity	The activPAL accelerometer/inclinometer will measure minutes spent in sedentary activities (not including sleep). The average daily minutes of sedentary time will be the total minutes divided by the number of days the activPAL monitor was worn.	12-weeks
Change in Self-reported Fatigue	Self-reported fatigue will be assessed using the PROMIS® Item Bank v1.0 - Fatigue - Short Form 8a. Raw scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicative of worse fatigue.	12-weeks
Change in Self-reported Pain	Self-reported pain will be assessed using the PROMIS® Item Bank v1.0 - Pain Interference - Short Form 8a. Raw scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicative of worse pain.	12-weeks
Change in Self-reported Sleep Disturbance	Self-reported sleep disturbance will be assessed using the PROMIS® Item Bank v1.0 - Sleep Disturbance - Short Form 8b. Raw scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicative of greater sleep disturbance.	12-weeks
Change in Self-reported Sleep Impairment	Self-reported sleep impairment will be assessed using the PROMIS® Item Bank v1.0 - Sleep-Related Impairment - Short Form 8a. Raw scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicative of greater sleep impairment.	12-weeks
Change in Self-reported Social Participation	Self-reported ability to participate in social roles and activities will be assessed using the PROMIS® Item Bank v2.0 - Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities - Short Form 8a. Raw scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicative of greater social participation.	12-weeks
Change in Self-reported Anxiety	Self-reported anxiety will be assessed using the PROMIS® Item Bank v1.0 - Emotional Distress - Anxiety - Short Form 8a. Raw scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicative of greater anxiety.	12-weeks
Change in Self-reported Depression	Self-reported depression will be assessed using the PROMIS® Item Bank v1.0 - Emotional Distress - Depression - Short Form 8a. Raw scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicative of greater depression.	12-weeks

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Fall Risk	Risk for falls will be assessed by the Falls Efficacy Scale International. Scores range from 16 to 64, with higher scores representing greater concern about falling.	12-weeks
Change in Fall Risk	Risk for falls will be assessed by the Falls Efficacy Scale International. Scores range from 16 to 64, with higher scores representing greater concern about falling.	24-weeks
Change in Social Support for Physical Activity	4 items using a 5-point scale to measure support from family and friends while making changes to physical activity. Response items include never, once, sometimes, almost every day, and every day. Total scores range from 0 to 16; higher scores are indicative of greater social support for physical activity.	12-weeks
Change in Social Support for Physical Activity	4 items using a 5-point scale to measure support from family and friends while making changes to physical activity. Response items include never, once, sometimes, almost every day, and every day. Higher scores are indicative of greater social support for physical activity.	24-weeks
Change in Outcome Expectations	Multidimensional Outcome Expectations for Exercise Scale includes 15 items to assess physical, social, and self-evaluative beliefs about the consequences of being physically active. Response items include strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, and strongly agree. Scores range from 15 to 75, with higher scores indicative of higher levels of outcome expectations for exercise.	12-weeks
Change in Outcome Expectations	Multidimensional Outcome Expectations for Exercise Scale includes 15 items to assess physical, social, and self-evaluative beliefs about the consequences of being physically active. Response items include strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, and strongly agree. Scores range from 15 to 75, with higher scores indicative of higher levels of outcome expectations for exercise.	24-weeks
Change in Motivation	Behavioral Regulations in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2) is a 19-item survey to assess autonomous motivation for exercise on a continuum from amotivation to intrinsic motivation. Mean scores range from 0 (not true for me) to 4 (very true for me) regarding motivation for exercise. Change in BREQ2 Relative Autonomy Index (RAI) is a single score derived from subscales. Subscales are weighted; RAI provides the degree to which a participant feels self-determined. Higher, positive scores indicate greater relative autonomy; whereas lower negative scores indicate more controlled regulation.	12-weeks
Change in Motivation	Behavioral Regulations in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2) is a 19-item survey to assess autonomous motivation for exercise on a continuum from amotivation to intrinsic motivation. Mean scores range from 0 (not true for me) to 4 (very true for me) regarding motivation for exercise. Behavioral Regulations in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2) is a 19-item survey to assess autonomous motivation for exercise on a continuum from amotivation to intrinsic motivation. Mean scores range from 0 (not true for me) to 4 (very true for me) regarding motivation for exercise. Change in BREQ2 Relative Autonomy Index (RAI) is a single score derived from subscales. Subscales are weighted; RAI provides the degree to which a participant feels self-determined. Higher, positive scores indicate greater relative autonomy; whereas lower negative scores indicate more controlled regulation.	24-weeks
Perceived Autonomy Support	Perceived Autonomy Support - Sport Climate Questionnaire (short form) includes 15 items to assess autonomy support of the health coach to characterize the quality of the social environment for influencing motivation to exercise. Mean individual scores range from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating greater autonomy support from the health coach. Total score ranges from 7 (low autonomy) to 105 (high autonomy). Measured after the intervention for both groups; note: this survey was not administered prior to the intervention.	post-intervention (end of 12-week intervention)
Change in Self-reported Physical Function	Self-reported physical function will be assessed using the PROMIS® Item Bank v2.0 - Physical Function - Short Form 8b. Raw scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicative of better physical functioning.	24-weeks
Change in the Number of Chair Stands During the 30-second Chair Stand Test	Physical performance will be objectively measured using the 30-second chair stand test, measured by the number of times a person comes to a full standing position from a chair in 30 seconds. Scores range from zero (cannot perform the test) to 30 or higher, with a higher number of chair stands representing stronger leg strength.	24-weeks
Change in Balance Score During the 4-stage Balance Test.	Physical performance will be objectively measured using the 4-stage balance test. The 4-stage balance test includes standing in each of four positions for up to 10 seconds: 1) feet side-by-side; 2) semi-tandem stand [one foot slightly behind but touching the other foot]; 3) tandem stand [one foot in front of the other; heel touching toe]; and 4) stand on one foot. Scores range from zero (participant refused, failed, or excluded from side-by-side test) to 5 (all four positions held for maximum time). Higher scores represent better balance.	24-weeks
Change in Number of Steps Per Day	The activPAL accelerometer/inclinometer will be used to measure steps per day. Participants will be asked to wear the monitor for 7-days. Average daily steps will be calculated as the total steps divided by the number of days the monitor was worn.	24-weeks
Change in Objective Measures of Light-intensity Physical Activity	The activPAL accelerometer/inclinometer will measure the daily minutes spent in light-intensity stepping. The average daily minutes of light-intensity stepping will be the total minutes divided by the number of days the activPAL monitor was worn. Light-intensity stepping is defined as stepping at a cadence between 75 and 99 steps per minute.	24-weeks
Change in Objective Measures of Moderate-intensity Physical Activity	The activPAL accelerometer/inclinometer will measure the daily minutes spent in moderate-intensity stepping. The average daily minutes of moderate-intensity stepping will be the total minutes divided by the number of days the activPAL monitor was worn. Moderate-intensity stepping is defined as stepping at a cadence of at least 100 steps per minute.	24-weeks
Change in Objective Measures of Sedentary Activity	The activPAL accelerometer/inclinometer will measure minutes spent in sedentary activities (not including sleep). The average daily minutes of sedentary time will be the total minutes divided by the number of days the activPAL monitor was worn.	24-weeks
Change in Self-reported Fatigue	Self-reported fatigue will be assessed using the PROMIS® Item Bank v1.0 - Fatigue - Short Form 8a. Raw scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicative of worse fatigue.	24-weeks
Change in Self-reported Pain	Self-reported pain will be assessed using the PROMIS® Item Bank v1.0 - Pain Interference - Short Form 8a. Raw scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicative of worse pain.	24-weeks
Change in Self-reported Sleep Disturbance	Self-reported sleep disturbance will be assessed using the PROMIS® Item Bank v1.0 - Sleep Disturbance - Short Form 8b. Raw scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicative of greater sleep disturbance.	24-weeks
Change in Self-reported Sleep Impairment	Self-reported sleep impairment will be assessed using the PROMIS® Item Bank v1.0 - Sleep-Related Impairment - Short Form 8a. Raw scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicative of greater sleep impairment.	24-weeks
Change in Self-reported Social Participation	Self-reported ability to participate in social roles and activities will be assessed using the PROMIS® Item Bank v2.0 - Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities - Short Form 8a. Raw scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicative of greater social participation.	24-weeks
Change in Self-reported Anxiety	Self-reported anxiety will be assessed using the PROMIS® Item Bank v1.0 - Emotional Distress - Anxiety - Short Form 8a. Raw scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicative of greater anxiety.	24-weeks
Change in Self-reported Depression	Self-reported depression will be assessed using the PROMIS® Item Bank v1.0 - Emotional Distress - Depression - Short Form 8a. Raw scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicative of greater depression.	24-weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of New Mexico
• Collaborators: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Cindy K Blair, PhD, University of New Mexico

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Blair CK, Brown-Glaberman U, Walters ST, Pestak C, Boyce T, Barriga L, Burgess E, Tawfik B, Killough C, Kinney AY, Demark-Wahnefried W, Meisner AL, Wiggins CL, Pankratz VS, Davis S. A Remotely Delivered Light-Intensity Physical Activity Intervention for Older Cancer Survivors: Protocol for a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2024 Dec 13;13:e59504. doi: 10.2196/59504.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 4, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 1, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): March 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 27, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 13, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): October 17, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): November 10, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 24, 2025
• Last Verified: October 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: physical activity; quality of life; cancer survivor; physical performance; physical function; sedentary behavior; Hispanic; rural; home-based; older; cancer survivorship; distance-based
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavior; Motor Activity; Sedentary Behavior
• Other Study ID Numbers: UNM HSC 17-335; K07CA215937 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No