Self-Acceptance and Supportive Accountability for Active Living Among Adults Receiving Chemotherapy

Physical activity can improve health-related quality of life among people receiving cancer treatment. Yet, chemotherapy imposes considerable barriers to maintaining an active lifestyle. Emotion regulation-based approaches based on principles from Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) may help people engage in physical activity despite treatment-related challenges. We aimed to develop and conduct a proof of concept study among people initiating chemotherapy for breast and gynecologic cancers to develop and assess the feasibility and acceptability of a novel, mobile health physical activity intervention that drew from SDT and ACT principles.

Inclusion criteria: * Having ever received a histologically confirmed diagnosis of invasive breast or gynecologic carcinoma (eligible cancer types include epithelial ovarian carcinoma, endometrial/uterine carcinoma, and invasive cervical carcinoma; other rare gynecologic malignancies \[e.g., vaginal, vulvar\] may also be included if explicitly approved by the study team) * Scheduled to receive cytotoxic chemotherapy for a minimum of 4 consecutive weeks but not yet begun or are within 4 weeks of having started their chemotherapy for cancer * Ability to speak and read English * Having internet access * Being willing and able to use a smartphone and web interface with or without assistance. If assistance is needed, it must be readily available * Adequate visual and hearing acuity to use a smartphone and web interface as indicated by self-report * Adequate motor capacity to use a smartphone and web interface as indicated by self-report * Willingness to download and use study-specific app(s), the Fitbit mobile application (this requires use of a Google Gmail account), and other mobile applications for study purposes Exclusion criteria: * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group test score \> 2 * Having unstable bone metastases * Untreated brain metastases * Contraindications to physical activity (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension or cardiac disease) * Having a body mass index under 18 * Major psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, or alcoholism that could affect the ability to understand and/or complete the study * Having arthritic or orthopedic issues that would preclude physical exercise * Another member of the household is a primary participant or staff member on this trial * Being a prisoner * Living in an assisted living facility or nursing home * Enrolled in hospice