Feasibility of FitSurvivor: A technology-enhanced group-based fitness intervention for adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer.

Devine, Katie A; Viola, Adrienne; Levonyan-Radloff, Kristine; Mackowski, Nicholas; Bozzini, Brittany; Chandler, Alexa; Xu, Baichen; Ohman-Strickland, Pamela; Mayans, Sherri; Farrar-Anton, Anne; Sahler, Olle Jane Z; Masterson, Margaret; Manne, Sharon; Arent, Shawn

BACKGROUND This study evaluated the feasibility of a technology-enhanced group-based fitness intervention for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer. PROCEDURE AYA survivors ages 13-25 years were randomized to the intervention (eight in-person group sessions with mobile app and FitBit followed by 4 weeks of app and FitBit only) or waitlist control. Assessments were at 0, 2, 3, 6, and 9 months. Feasibility was evaluated by enrollment, retention, attendance, app engagement, and satisfaction. Secondary outcomes included physical activity, muscular strength/endurance, cardiorespiratory fitness, health-related quality of life, and fatigue. RESULTS A total of 354 survivors were mailed participation letters; 68 (19%) were screened, of which 56 were eligible and 49 enrolled (88% of those screened eligible, 14% of total potentially eligible). Forty-nine survivors (Mage = 18.5 years, 49% female) completed baseline assessments and were randomized (25 intervention, 24 waitlist). Thirty-seven (76%) completed the postintervention assessment and 32 (65%) completed the final assessment. On average, participants attended 5.7 of eight sessions (range 1-8). Overall intervention satisfaction was high (M = 4.3, SD = 0.58 on 1-5 scale). Satisfaction with the companion app was moderately high (M = 3.4, SD = 0.97). The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in lower body muscle strength compared to the waitlist postintervention, and small but not statistically significant changes in other secondary measures. CONCLUSIONS A group-based intervention with a mobile app and fitness tracker was acceptable but has limited reach due to geographical barriers and competing demands experienced by AYA survivors.