Clinical trial · Interventional
Feasibility of a Habit-Based Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behaviour in Cancer Survivors
A Habit-Based Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behaviour in Cancer Survivors: A Feasibility Study
- Source
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- Retrieved
- Sep 8, 2026
- Layer
- normalized (units and labels harmonized; values unchanged)
- Run
- ING-CLINICALTRIALS-20260908-000001
Summary
Brief summary (as posted)
Cancer and its treatments are associated with long-term side effects including lowered physical strength and quality of life. Decreasing sedentary behaviour improves health outcomes in cancer survivors. Habit-based programs aimed at lowering sedentary behaviour have been successful in decreasing sedentary behaviour in other populations. However, limited clinical trials aimed at lowering sedentary behaviour have recruited cancer survivors, and none are exclusively based on Habit Theory. The primary goal of this clinical trial is to test the feasibility of an 8-week, habit-based program to lower sedentary behaviour in cancer survivors. Sedentary behaviour refers to low-energy activities performed during waking hours in a seated, reclined or laid down position. Secondarily, this clinical trial aims to examine changes in sedentary behaviour, physical strength, habit, and quality of life. Enrolled participants will be assigned to a sedentary behaviour or active control group. The sedentary behaviour group will receive 8 weekly sheets consisting of tips recommending to lower sedentary behaviour. Tips will be individualized to participants' lifestyles, and will consider their cancer-specific and other physical limitations. Participants in the sedentary behaviour group will also meet with the researcher once a week for a check-in session for more individualized tips and progressions. The active control group will receive the Canadian 24-hour Movement Guidelines, and a handout highlighting the benefits of lowering sedentary behaviour. Both groups will be provided with wearable activity monitors (Fitbits).
Conditions
Conditions (2)
Free-text conditions as registered, with the CancerIndex entity they were reconciled to and the match type.
| Condition (as posted) | Mapped entity | Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancer | Malignant Neoplasm | ALIAS | 0.90 |
| Sedentary Behaviour | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
Interventions
Interventions (2)
| Intervention | Type | Mapped drug | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Control Group | Other | — | UNRESOLVED |
| Sedentary Behaviour Intervention | Behavioral | — | UNRESOLVED |
Design
Arms and outcomes
Arms (2)
- type
- EXPERIMENTAL
- label
- Sedentary Behaviour Intervention Group
- description
- The sedentary behaviour intervention will consist of weekly tick-sheets, one weekly check-in session, and a Fitbit for physical inactivity reminders over 8 weeks. The weekly tick-sheets will consist of tips recommending to lower sedentary behaviour by enacting actions in the presence of cues. Progressions, illustrations and steps to perform these actions will be provided as an attachment with the tick-sheets. An example of a tip is "During TV/online video ad breaks or when you finish watching one episode of a show or online video, climb up and down a staircase to reduce cancer-related fatigue associated with prolonged sitting". Tips will be individualized to participants' lifestyles, and will consider their cancer-specific and other physical limitations. Participants in the sedentary behaviour group will also meet with the researcher once a week for a check-in session for more individualized tips and progressions.
- interventionNames
- Behavioral: Sedentary Behaviour Intervention
- type
- ACTIVE_COMPARATOR
- label
- Active Control Group
- description
- The active control group will receive the Canadian 24-hour Movement Guidelines, and a handout highlighting the benefits of reducing sedentary behaviour. They will also receive Fitbits, with the hourly inactivity reminders turned off.
Eligibility
Eligibility (as posted)
- Sex
- All
- Minimum age
- 18 Years
Show eligibility criteria text
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age or older * have been diagnosed with localized or asymptomatic metastatic cancer of any type * completed primary cancer treatment * self-report being sedentary for more than or equal to 8 hours per day * access to the internet and a device with a webcam * able to complete the study in English Exclusion Criteria: * presence of other primary or recurrent invasive cancer * having experienced a fall in the last 12 months * not residing in Canada * participating in other behaviour change interventions * using a gait aid device
References
Publications (11)
- BACKGROUNDPark C, Larsen B, Mogos M, Muchira J, Dietrich M, LaNoue M, Jean J, Norfleet J, Doyle A, Ahn S, Mulvaney S. A multiple technology-based and individually-tailored Sit Less program for people with cardiovascular disease: A randomized controlled trial study protocol. PLoS One. 2024 May 9;19(5):e0302582. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302582. eCollection 2024. PMID 38722831
- BACKGROUNDTam RM, Zablocki RW, Liu C, Narayan HK, Natarajan L, LaCroix AZ, Dillon L, Sakoulas E, Hartman SJ. Feasibility of a Health Coach Intervention to Reduce Sitting Time and Improve Physical Functioning Among Breast Cancer Survivors: Pilot Intervention Study. JMIR Cancer. 2023 Dec 19;9:e49934. doi: 10.2196/49934. PMID 38113082
- BACKGROUNDGardner, B., Rebar, A. L., de Wit, S., & Lally, P. (2024). What is habit and how can it be used to change real-world behaviour? Narrowing the theory-reality gap. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 18(6), e12975. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12975
- BACKGROUNDWhite I, Smith L, Aggio D, Shankar S, Begum S, Matei R, Fox KR, Hamer M, Iliffe S, Jefferis BJ, Tyler N, Gardner B. On Your Feet to Earn Your Seat: pilot RCT of a theory-based sedentary behaviour reduction intervention for older adults. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2017 May 8;3:23. doi: 10.1186/s40814-017-0139-6. eCollection 2017. PMID 28491459
- BACKGROUNDMatei R, Thune-Boyle I, Hamer M, Iliffe S, Fox KR, Jefferis BJ, Gardner B. Acceptability of a theory-based sedentary behaviour reduction intervention for older adults ('On Your Feet to Earn Your Seat'). BMC Public Health. 2015 Jul 2;15:606. doi: 10.1186/s12889-015-1921-0. PMID 26135402
- BACKGROUNDTremblay MS, Aubert S, Barnes JD, Saunders TJ, Carson V, Latimer-Cheung AE, Chastin SFM, Altenburg TM, Chinapaw MJM; SBRN Terminology Consensus Project Participants. Sedentary Behavior Research Network (SBRN) - Terminology Consensus Project process and outcome. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2017 Jun 10;14(1):75. doi: 10.1186/s12966-017-0525-8.