Short motivational coaching to help cancer survivors be more active

Effectiveness and Implementation of a Brief Motivational Intervention to Increase Physical Activity for World Trade Center Health Program Cancer Survivors

This project will try a brief motivational coaching program to help World Trade Center Health Program cancer survivors increase and keep up their physical activity.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 84 (estimated)
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Stony Brook University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Stony Brook, New York)
• Trial ID: NCT07215091 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional program tests a brief motivational intervention to initiate and maintain physical activity among cancer survivors enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program. Eligible participants are WTCHP members with a history of cancer who have completed active treatment and are physically able to walk slowly; people with metastatic disease, those receiving active non-hormonal treatment, pregnant women, non-English speakers, or those unsafe to exercise are excluded. The intervention uses short, evidence-based motivational counseling delivered at the point of care to encourage regular physical activity and address barriers to exercise. Outcomes focus on changes in activity behavior and physical function over the study period.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are WTCHP-enrolled adults who have completed cancer treatment, can walk at least slowly, read and speak English, and are not receiving active treatment or have metastatic disease.

Not a fit: Patients currently receiving active cancer treatment (except hormonal therapy), with late-stage metastatic disease, unable to exercise safely, unable to attend required visits, pregnant, or non-English speakers are unlikely to benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could help cancer survivors increase and sustain physical activity, which may improve physical function, symptoms, and overall quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Brief motivational and counseling interventions have shown modest success in increasing physical activity among cancer survivors and other chronic disease groups, so this approach is evidence-informed though not yet widely implemented in the WTCHP.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Participation in the World Trade Center Health Program
* History of cancer, completed treatment
* Ability to be physically active (at minimum be able to walk slowly)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participants receiving active cancer treatment (excluding hormonal therapy);
* Late-stage cancer (metastatic);
* Inability to follow the scheduled visits;
* Women who are pregnant
* Patients who would not be safe exercising without medical supervision (ECOG score of 3, significant comorbidities, unable to even walk slowly)
* Inability to speak and read English.

Where this trial is running

Stony Brook, New York

• Stony Brook University — Stony Brook, New York, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Pamela K Ginex, EdD. MPH, RN

Conditions: Cancer, World Trade Center Health Program