Connecting women who are diagnosed and treated for breast cancer to engage in physical activity: a two-arm randomized controlled trial

BackgroundWomen who are diagnosed and treated for breast cancer (WBC) encounter barriers engaging in adequate physical activity (PA). Pairing WBC with PA partners is a feasible approach to promote social support, potentially increasing PA levels. However, WBC may not perceive to have the expertise required to facilitate PA behavior. As such, providing access to a Qualified Exercise Professional (QEP) may help facilitate PA within dyads. To date, the impact of including a QEP in peer-based interventions remains unclear.MethodsA two-arm randomized controlled trial (n = 108) was designed to compare a virtual peer and QEP-supported intervention group (MatchQEP: n = 54) to a control group matched only with a peer (Match: n = 54) on moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). The association between social support within peer dyads and MVPA, and the impact of partners’ level of MVPA on individual MVPA were also examined. Participants in the MatchQEP condition met with the QEP and their partner on Zoom once per week for 10 weeks. Those in the Match condition were encouraged to independently communicate with and support their assigned partner over 10 weeks. Analyses involved descriptive statistics, regression analyses, and Actor Partner Interdependence models.ResultsSocial support significantly related to MVPA, irrespective of intervention group. The addition of a QEP did not yield additional benefits in increasing MVPA levels. Actor-Partner Interdependence Models reveal that partners’ PA behaviors did not significantly impact individual MVPA levels.ConclusionThese findings underscore the significance of social support from partners in promoting MVPA among WBC, emphasizing the need for interventions focusing on supportive partner relationships. By leveraging social support between partners, interventions can better address the unique needs of WBC, ultimately improving their health and well-being.Trial registrationConnecting Breast Cancer Survivors for Exercise (C4E), Trial Registration Number: NCT04771975, 28/02/2020.