Effects of Targeted Print Materials on Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Young Adult Cancer Survivors During and After Treatment: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Purpose:

To explore the effects of targeted physical activity (PA) print material on PA and quality of life (QOL) in young adult cancer survivors (YACS) aged 18–39 either on or off treatment.

Methods:

YACS (N=212) recruited from a cancer registry were randomly assigned to a Targeted Physical Activity Guidebook (TPAG) or the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines (CPAG). An online or mailed survey assessed the primary outcome of self-reported PA minutes and secondary QOL outcomes. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months for PA and at baseline and 3 months for QOL.

Results:

At 3 months, analyses of covariance showed no differences between the groups for the primary outcome of PA minutes/week (adjusted mean group difference=+8 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −60 to +77; p=0.81). The TPAG was superior to the CPAG for the mental component of QOL (adjusted mean group difference=+3.1; 95% CI: +0.1 to +7.3; p=0.043). In an exploratory analysis of YACS reporting ≤300 PA minutes/week at baseline (N=108), the TPAG group was superior to the CPAG group at 3 months for PA minutes/week (adjusted mean group difference=+90; 95% CI: +10 to +170; p=0.028).

Conclusion:

Targeted PA print material did not increase PA compared to generic PA print material in a highly active sample of YACS. In YACS reporting ≤300 PA minutes/week at baseline—the group of interest from a PA behavior change perspective—the targeted PA print material was effective in increasing PA.