Web-based Lifestyle Program, mHealth and EMA Intervention, to Improve Weight Loss in Rural Stage I-III Postmenopausal Breast and Endometrial Cancer Survivors, HERO-C Trial

Official title

Health Engagement for Rural Ohio Cancer Survivors (HERO-C)

Overview

This clinical trial identifies the needs and preferences of rural stage I-III postmenopausal breast and endometrial cancer survivors and evaluates the impact of an adaptive, online program, mobile (m)Health + ecological momentary assessment (EMA) intervention, on lifestyle modification and their weight loss efforts. Obesity, a condition marked by an abnormally high, unhealthy amount of body fat, is associated with lower physical and psychological well-being, higher risk of recurrence, and higher cancer-specific and all-cause mortality (number of deaths). Lifestyle factors, such as low physical activity and unhealthy diet, are the main contributors to obesity that are modifiable. Lifestyle weight loss programs focusing on modifiable factors can improve cancer-specific survival and many aspects of health, but access to these programs can be challenging in rural settings. A remote lifestyle program, adapted to individual goals and needs, may help promote healthy behaviors, improve cancer outcomes, and reduce disease burden in stage I-III postmenopausal breast and endometrial cancer survivors.

Detailed description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine the feasibility of an mHealth + EMA intervention in addition to the web-based lifestyle program with remote outcome assessments among rural breast and endometrial cancer survivors. (Aim 1) Ia. To identify rural cancer survivors' perspectives and unique needs/challenges of participating in a web-based lifestyle program via focus groups pre- and post-intervention (n=20); (Aim 1a) Ib. To determine the feasibility of mHealth + EMA among early non-responders (week 5-26); (Aim 1b) Ic. To determine the feasibility of remote outcome assessments. (Aim 1c) II. To determine the preliminary efficacy of the additional mHealth + EMA intervention for early non-responders from the web-based lifestyle program (within-person change from week 5-26). (Aim 2)

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVE:

I. To explore the differences in metabolomic, inflammatory, behavioral, and psychosocial factors between early responders and early non-responders at baseline, month 1 and month 6.

OUTLINE:

PHASE I (WEEKS 1-4): Patients complete self-paced web-based lifestyle program modules over 45-90 minutes weekly for 4 weeks. Patients adhere to a personalized diet meeting American Institute of Cancer Research (AICR) guidelines and receive access to online resources, including AICR resources, online cooking class videos, healthy eating recipes and tips. Patients participate in moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity over 10-30 minutes on 5 days weekly and resistance training over 30 minutes on 2-3 times weekly.

PHASE II (WEEKS 5-26): Patients are assigned to 1 of 2 groups based on Phase I progress.

GROUP I (EARLY RESPONDER): Patients continue web-based program modules, exercise program and diet recommendations as in Phase I. Patients also attend virtual group sessions over 45-50 minutes weekly for weeks 5-26.

GROUP II (EARLY NON-RESPONDER): Patients continue web-based program modules, exercise program and diet recommendations as in Phase I. Patients also set goals for behavioral changes weekly and receive just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAI) tailored resource components via mHealth + EMA during weeks 5-26. Patients wear a physical activity tracker daily and receive access to the Fitbit application (App).

Patients may also participate in a focus group over 30-45 minutes on study. Additionally, patients undergo urine and blood sample collection throughout the study.

After completion of study intervention, patients may follow up in 6 months.

Interventions

• Other Aerobic Exercise
  Participate in moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity
• Procedure Biospecimen Collection
  Undergo urine and blood sample collection
• Other Dietary Intervention
  Adhere to a personalized diet
• Other Discussion
  Participate in a focus group
• Other Goal Setting
  Set goals for behavioral changes
• Other Internet-Based Intervention
  Complete self-paced web-based lifestyle program modules
• Other Medical Device Usage and Evaluation
  Wear a physical activity tracker
• Other Questionnaire Administration
  Ancillary studies
• Other Resistance Training
  Participate in resistance training
• Behavioral Smartphone Application-based Intervention
  Receive access to the Fitbit app

Primary outcome measures

• Preferences, needs and satisfaction (Aim 1a) [Time frame: At pre- and post-intervention, assessed up to week 26]
• Percentage of early non-responders who complete the mobile Health + ecological momentary assessment intervention (Aim 1b) [Time frame: Up to week 26]
• Percentage of all participants who complete all assessments (Aim 1c) [Time frame: Up to week 26]
• Changes in weight (Aim 2) [Time frame: At baseline (T0), at week 4 (T1), and at week 26 (T2)]
• Changes in muscle mass (Aim 2) [Time frame: At baseline (T0), at week 4 (T1), and at week 26 (T2)]
• Changes in metabolic profiles (Aim 2) [Time frame: At baseline (T0), at week 4 (T1), and at week 26 (T2)]
• Changes in inflammatory markers (Aim 2) [Time frame: At baseline (T0), at week 4 (T1), and at week 26 (T2)]
• Changes in behaviors (Aim 2) [Time frame: At baseline (T0), at week 4 (T1), and at week 26 (T2)]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25kg/m\^2
• Age: 40-69 years
• 1-5 years post-diagnosis of stage I-III postmenopausal breast cancer or stage I-III endometrial cancer
• No known evidence of recurrence (local or distant) or second, primary cancer
• No prior history of new other malignancy since their breast or endometrial cancer diagnosis (other than non-melanoma skin cancer)
• Not currently participating in any weight loss programs, no personal trainer, and not meeting the physical activity guidelines
• No use of any anti-obesity medications in the last 6 months and no plan to start anti-obesity medications during the study period
• The ability to walk two blocks without a walker or cane
• The ability to speak and read English
• Have access to internet with a computer, tablet, or smart phone
• Live in rural counties in Ohio and not planning to move away during the study
• Are not pregnant, breastfeeding or less than 12-month post-partum and do not plan to become pregnant during the study

Exclusion criteria

• Severe medical conditions, such as unstable cardiovascular disease or digestive disorders, that would preclude physical activity and dietary intervention
• Lack of physician clearance if determined necessary by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+)
• Acute physical limitations for unsupervised exercises at home
• Unable to give informed consent

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation

Non-randomized

Model

Sequential

Masking

Open label

Primary purpose

Supportive care

Study locations

United States · 1 center

• Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center — Columbus

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07723235 · OSU-26016 · NCI-2026-05189 · STUDY20252952

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗