Pink Warrior-Support Group Toolkit for Breast Cancer Survivors

Breast cancer survivors, from diagnosis until the end of life, go through many transitions. One major transition is the significant decrease of physical activity immediately after diagnosis. Despite the known benefits of physical activity-speeding recovery time and reduced cancer recurrence risk-only 1 in 3 survivors met physical activity recommendations of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week. Physical activity interventions have shown effectiveness in helping breast cancer survivors increase physical activity during treatment, but limited evidence-based physical activity interventions have been incorporated into the clinic and community. To address this limitation, the investigators are partnering with the UTMB breast cancer support group to conduct a 12-week physical activity intervention, Pink Warrior. The goal of this study is to compare an intervention that uses active games versus an intervention uses pedometer to encourage physical activity such as walking within breast cancer survivors in active cancer treatment. The study will include breast cancer survivor between the ages of 18 - 70 whom currently gets less than 150 minutes of planned physical activity per week and received a breast cancer diagnosis within 0 to 6 months. Participants will be randomized to participate in the support group using the active video game-based physical activity intervention (Wii and Xbox active games) or to participate in the existing UTMB breast cancer support group with pedometers (Digi-Walker CW-700/701). The investigators hypothesize that by engaging in active video gaming, breast cancer survivors will be motivated to initiate and maintain physical activity during treatment. This will ultimately increase functional capacity and prevent functional disability in breast cancer survivors.

Sex

Female

Minimum age

18 Years

Maximum age

70 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Provide informed consent
2. Diagnosed with primary female breast cancer within 0 to 6 months period of time
3. English-speaking between the ages of 18 and 70
4. Able to read and write in English
5. Obtained approval from oncologists for the participant to be involved in the physical activity based support group
6. Able to travel to the UTMB Breast Health Center
7. Able to move arms and legs as well as ambulate
8. Able to see TV screen from a distance of 2 to 4 feet

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Being pregnant
2. Dementia
3. Currently engage in ≥150 minutes of planned moderate physical activity per week for the prior week
4. Are involved in another physical activity intervention

• DERIVEDSwartz MC, Lewis ZH, Deer RR, Stahl AL, Swartz MD, Christopherson U, Basen-Engquist K, Wells SJ, Silva HC, Lyons EJ. Feasibility and Acceptability of an Active Video Game-Based Physical Activity Support Group (Pink Warrior) for Survivors of Breast Cancer: Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial. JMIR Cancer. 2022 Aug 22;8(3):e36889. doi: 10.2196/36889. PMID 35994321