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. 2025 Apr 25;17(1):96.
doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01131-4.

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

Ross M Murray  1 , Erin O'Loughlin  1   2 , Jenna Smith-Turchyn  3 , Angela J Fong  4 , Meghan H McDonough  5 , Daniel Santa Mina  1 , Kelly P Arbour-Nicitopoulos  1 , Linda Trinh  1 , Jennifer M Jones  6 , Jackie L Bender  6 , S Nicole Culos-Reed  5 , Jennifer R Tomasone  7 , Madison F Vani  1 , Catherine M Sabiston  8
Affiliations

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

Ross M Murray et al. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. .

Abstract

Background: Women 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.

Methods: A 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.

Results: Social 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.

Conclusion: These 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 registration: Connecting Breast Cancer Survivors for Exercise (C4E), Trial Registration Number: NCT04771975, 28/02/2020.

Keywords: Connectedness; Dyad; Exercise; Oncology; Social support.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: We confirm that all methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. The study was approved by the University of Toronto’s Human Research Ethics Unit (protocol #00038665). Written informed consent obtained from all patients recruited to this study. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Full trial protocol: The full trial protocol can be reached here https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-021-00341-w

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Participant flow diagram for the randomized controlled trial. A total of 108 participants were enrolled and randomized into two groups: MatchQEP (n = 54) and Match (n = 54). Each group underwent baseline assessment, followed by a 10-week intervention. Post-intervention assessments were conducted, with follow-ups at 14 weeks and 24 weeks. Participant retention numbers are provided at each stage
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
MVPA at each measurement occasion for the Match and MatchQEP Note: MVPA = moderate to vigorous physical activity, QEP = qualified exercise professional
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Percentage of individuals who met exercise guidelines (over 150 min of MVPA per week) in Match and MatchQEP groups. The top image is self-report data, the bottom image is Fitbit data
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Actor partner interdependence model. Top figure represents self-report data, bottom figure represents Fitbit data Note: T1 = baseline, T2 = post intervention, T3 = 14-week follow-up, T4 = 24-week follow up. P = Partner, A = Actor. Black lines represent significant pathways
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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