Outdoor adventure therapy to increase physical activity in young adult cancer survivors. Issue 3 (3rd May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gill, Elizabeth; Goldenberg, Marni; Starnes, Heather; Phelan, Suzanne
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychosocial oncology. Volume 34:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 184
• Page End: 199
• Publication Date: 2016-05-03
• Subjects: young adult cancer survivors -- physical activity -- outdoor adventure therapy -- correlates of physical activity -- intervention -- physical activity intervention -- cancer survivors; Cancer -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 362.196994
• DOI: 10.1080/07347332.2016.1157718
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0734-7332

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Purpose : Despite the health benefits of physical activity (PA), limited research has examined PA interventions in young adult cancer survivors (YACS). This study used a two-group parallel design to examine the effects of a 7-day outdoor adventure camp vs. waitlist control on PA levels among YACS. Secondary aims examined effects on sedentary behavior and PA correlates. Methods : 50 camp and 66 control participants were assessed at baseline, end of camp, and 3 months. Results : Intent-to-treat analyses indicated that, relative to baseline, camp participants had significantly ( p = 0.0001) greater increases in PA than controls during camp (+577 vs. +9 minutes/week) and 3 months post-camp (+133 vs. –75 minutes/week, p = 0.001). Camp participants also reported significantly greater improvements in TV viewing ( p = 0.001), hours sitting ( p = 0.001), PA variety ( p = 0.0001), barriers to PA ( p = 0.007), and enjoyment of structured activities ( p = 0.04) during camp but not 3 months post-camp. Conclusion : A week-long outdoor adventure therapy camp increased PA levels during camp and 3 months after camp termination, although effects were attenuated over time. Implications for Cancer Survivors : Outdoor adventure therapy camps may increase PA and its correlates in YACS, but future research should explore methods to promote sustained PA after camp termination.