1. The purpose of the study is to test the effectiveness of a new mail-based intervention for breast cancer survivors compared with standard lifestyle management and no-treatment. 2. This intervention addresses both lifestyle factors such as dietary and physical activities and psychological issues specific to breast cancer survivors to improve healthy behaviors.
Participants will be assigned randomly to one of three groups: 1) newly developed mail-based intervention (Targeting the Teachable Moment Intervention; TTMI), 2) standard Lifestyle Intervention (SLM), and 3) usual care. Both TTMI and SLM focus on health behaviors, however TTMI additionally addresses psychosocial issues specific to breast cancer survivors. All participants will complete questionnaires at the time they start the study, the end of the 4 months, and 3 months later for a follow-up. If participants are assigned to any of the intervention group, they will receive materials every other week for 4 months. If participants are assigned to the usual care group, they will receive the same materials as the standard lifestyle intervention et the end of the 7 months.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
173
TTMI material (every other week for 4 months)
SLM material (every other week for 4 months)
University of Connecticut
Storrs, Connecticut, United States
Changes in eating habits measured by the National Cancer Institute Quick Food Scan
Diet habits (amount of fat and fruit/vegetable uptake) will be assessed at 3 times: at baseline, at the end of the 4 months, and at the end of 7 months.
Time frame: Meaured at baseline, 4 months, and 7 months
Changes in physical activity measured by the Paffenbarger physical activity questionnaire
Frequency and amount of time for physical exercise will be measured at 3 times: at baseline, at the end of 4 months, and at the end of 7 months.
Time frame: Meaured at baseline, 4 months, and 7 months
Changes in coping strategies measured by the Brief COPE
Coping strategies (e.g., problem-focused coping, emotional approach coping) will be assessed at 3 times: at baseline, at the end of the 4 months, and at the end of 7 months.
Time frame: Measured at baseline, 4 months, and 7 months
Changes in Self-efficacy measured by the General Self-Efficacy Scale
A general sense of perceived self-efficacy will be measured at 3 times: at the baseline, at the end of 4 months, and at the end of 7 months
Time frame: Measured at baseline, 4 months, and 7 months
Changes in social support measured by the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL)
Social support will be measured at 3 times: at baseline, at the end of 4 months, and at the end of 7 months
Time frame: Measured at baseline, 4 months, and 7 months
Changes in life meaning measured by the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ)
Presence of Meaning and Search for Meaning will be measured at 3 times: at baseline, at the end of 4 months, and at the end of 7 months.
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Time frame: Measured at baseline, 4 months, and 7 months