A self-regulation-based intervention to increase physical activity in cancer patients
The study examined whether a behavior-change intervention focusing on self-regulatory strategies and emphasizing role model support increases physical activity (PA) among insufficiently active (not meeting PA guidelines of 150 min/week) cancer patients. Ambulatory cancer patients [N = 72; 54% female...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2016
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| In: |
Psychology, health & medicine
Year: 2015, Volume: 21, Issue: 2, Pages: 163-175 |
| ISSN: | 1465-3966 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/13548506.2015.1081255 |
| Online Access: | Verlag, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2015.1081255 Verlag: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13548506.2015.1081255 
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| Author Notes: | Nadine Ungar, Monika Sieverding, Gerdi Weidner, Cornelia M. Ulrich & Joachim Wiskemann |
| Summary: | The study examined whether a behavior-change intervention focusing on self-regulatory strategies and emphasizing role model support increases physical activity (PA) among insufficiently active (not meeting PA guidelines of 150 min/week) cancer patients. Ambulatory cancer patients [N = 72; 54% female; M = 56 years, SD = 12.34; most with breast or colon cancer (34, 15%)] were enrolled in the MOTIVACTION-study, a 4-week intervention (1-hr counseling, followed by weekly phone calls), with pretest (T1), posttest (T2) and a 10-week follow-up (T3). Participants were randomized to either an exercise or to a stress management intervention (active control). The exercise intervention emphasized self-regulatory strategies (e.g. action- and coping planning and self-monitoring); patients were also encouraged to contact a physically active same-sex role model as a potential exercise partner. The active control condition consisted of coping and relaxation techniques. Sixty-seven patients remained in the study and completed the SQUASH assessment of PA and a measure of perceived stress. PA was validated by Actigraph accelerometry. At T2, 46% of the patients in the exercise group and 19% of stress management patients increased their activity levels to meet PA guidelines (>150 min/week; χ2(1) = 5.51, p = .019). At T3, participants in the exercise intervention maintained their exercise level (46%), but also 31% of the stress management patients met the guidelines. All patients reported reductions in perceived stress. Additional analyses comparing patients in the exercise group by role model contact (63% realized contact) revealed that those who had contact with their role model were significantly more likely to adhere to the recommended guidelines (T2:50%; T3:64%) compared to those who did not have contact with a role model (T2:39%; T3:15%), suggesting the potential of mobilizing role model support to facilitate PA. In sum, cancer patients may not only benefit from an exercise intervention emphasizing self-regulation, but also from stress management, regarding both reducing stress and increasing PA. |
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| Item Description: | Published online: 14 Sep 2015 Gesehen am 14.11.2019 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 1465-3966 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/13548506.2015.1081255 |