Skip to content

Evaluating Whether Charity Incentives Motive Cancer Survivors to Increase Physical Activity

Randomized Trial of Charity-based Incentives to Increase Physical Activity Among Cancer Survivors

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03322059
Enrollment
51
Registered
2017-10-26
Start date
2017-11-01
Completion date
2018-12-01
Last updated
2019-07-23

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cancer, Incentives, Physical Activity

Brief summary

The investigators propose to examine whether linking daily activity with charity-based incentives motivates cancer survivors to initiate and maintain physical activity. Linking daily physical activity goals with a cancer specific charity incentive may provide a uniquely salient motivator that promotes increased physical activity among cancer survivors. The investigators will examine whether using activity monitors in combination with charitable incentives leads to greater increases in physical activity compared to activity monitors alone. Target participants includes cancer survivors who are not already active. Physical activity (e.g., steps per day, time in moderate-intensity activity) will be examined at baseline and following a 12-week intervention period using an activPAL accelerometer. After the baseline assessment, both groups will receive a fitbit monitor and informational material designed to increase physical activity. Participants in the fitbit+charity group will have donations made in their name to a cancer charity if they meet daily step goals. Physical activity levels will be monitored using the fitbit device for 6-weeks following the formal intervention period.

Detailed description

The study is a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of a 12-week physical activity intervention. Fifty cancer survivors will be recruited and allocated to one of two research arms: Fitbit+Only Group or Fitbit+Charity Incentives Group. Participants in both intervention arms will be asked to track their physical activities using Fitbit One, an activity monitor that monitors steps and physical activity and will receive basic educational materials about increasing physical activity. Those in the Fitbit+charity incentives Group will raise money for cancer charities if they meet weekly step targets. The key outcome variable of the RCT is steps as measured by an activPAL accelerometer. Data will be collected at baseline and 12-weeks. Fitbit data will also be collected for the duration of the 12-week intervention and for 6-weeks following the end of the intervention period to have an initial examination of behavior change maintenance (total 18-weeks).

Interventions

BEHAVIORALExperimental

Participants will receive a fitbit and lifestyle counseling to increase steps. Weekly newsletter for first 6 weeks, bi-weekly for remaining weeks with behavioral content designed to increase physical activity (e.g., barriers, SMART goals). They will also receive a donation to a cancer charity of their choice if they meet daily step goals.

BEHAVIORALControl

Participants will receive a fitbit and lifestyle counseling to increase steps. Weekly newsletter for first 6 weeks, bi-weekly for remaining weeks with behavioral content designed to increase physical activity (e.g., barriers, SMART goals).

Sponsors

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Adults ≥ 18 years and \<50 y, with diagnosed Adolescent or Young Adult cancer (diagnosed between 15-39y of age); 2. ≥ 6 months post-cancer treatment 3. English speaking 4. Participate in \<60 minutes of MVPA/week 5. Own a smartphone 6. Have access to computer 7. Participants must also pass a physical activity readiness questionnaire or receive medical clearance from their primary care physician or oncologist.

Exclusion criteria

1. Joint, cardiovascular, or respiratory problem(s) precluding physical activity 2. Metastatic disease 3. Planned elective surgery or pregnancy during intervention/follow-up that would interfere with participation (e.g., breast reconstructive surgery). 4. Already using a wearable device \>5 days per week

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Daily steps12 weeks - change from baseline to 12 weeksDaily steps as measured by activPAL

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Intervention ReachBaselineProportion of individuals who agree to participate of those who express an interest in participation
Step goal adherence1-12 weeksProportion of weeks meeting physical activity goal as measured by fitbit
Daily Stepsbaseline to 12 weeksDaily Steps as Measured by Fitbit
Sleepbaseline to 12 weeksSleep as Measured by Fitbit
Sedentary timeChange from baseline to 12 weeksSedentary time as Measured by activPAL activity monitor
Standing timeChange from baseline to 12 weeksStanding time as Measured by activPAL
Stepping timeChange from baseline to 12 weeksStepping time as Measured by activPAL
Moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) timeChange from baseline to 12 weeksMVPA time as Measured by activPAL
Sedentary breaks/patternsChange from baseline to 12 weeksSedentary breaks/patterns as Measured by activPAL
FatigueChange from baseline to 12 weeksPatient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Fatigue Short Form 8a (Total Score range 8-40). higher score is more fatigue.
Physical FunctionChange from baseline to 12 weeksPatient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Short Form 20a. Total score (range 20-100). Higher score is worse physical function
Participant retention12 weeksProportion of participants retained of those randomized
Attitudes Toward Charitable GivingChange from baseline to 12 weeksAttitudes Toward Charitable Giving Scale. Total of 20 questions with scores from 1-5, there are five domains higher score is more of a particular attitude. 1.) Inefficiency of Charitable Giving 2.) Efficiency of Charitable Giving 3.) Cynical Giving 4.) Altruistic Giving 5.) Purpose of Charity
Behavioral Regulation in Exercise QuestionnaireChange from baseline to 12 weeksBehavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire -3. Contains 6 subscales Amotivation, external regulation, introjected regulation, identified regulation, integrated regulation, intrinsic regulation, each range from 0-16, higher values indicate more motivation in that domain.
Barriers Self-efficacy ScaleChange from baseline to 12 weeksBarriers Self-efficacy Scale. 15 items, total score range 0-1500. Higher indicated more self-efficacy
Physical Activity EnjoymentChange from baseline to 12 weeksPhysical Activity Enjoyment Scale. 18-item scale with 7-point bipolar rating. Total score range 18-126. Higher scores reflect greater levels of enjoyment.
Pittsburg Sleep Quality QuestionnaireChange from baseline to 12 weeksPittsburg Sleep Quality Questionnaire. Total score. Greater than 5 indicated poor sleep quality.
Exercise Self-efficacy ScaleChange from baseline to 12 weeksExercise Self-efficacy Scale. 6 items total score. Range 0-600, higher is more self-efficacy
Intervention Maintenance12-18 weeks% of weeks adhered to step goal as measured by fitbit during 6-week follow-up period
Duration wore Fitbit12-18 weeksDuration wore Fitbit during during 6-week follow-up period
Exercise outcome expectationsChange from baseline to 12 weeksMultidimensional Outcome Expectations for Exercise Scale. Total score (range 15-75), higher score means more multidimensional outcome expectations.
Sleep disturbanceChange from baseline to 12 weeksPatient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Sleep Disturbance Form. Total score range 8-40. Higher score is more disturbance.
Exercise Goal SettingChange from baseline to 12 weeks10-item total score. Ranged from 10 to 50, higher score means more goal setting. Exercise Goal-Setting Scale.
DepressionChange from baseline to 12 weeksPatient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Depression Short Form 8a. Total score range 8-40. Higher score is more depressed.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 23, 2026