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PA Interventions (pa + intervention)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Medical Sciences100%

Selected Abstracts

A pilot study on disseminating physical activity promotion among cancer survivors: a brief report

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
Bernardine M. Pinto
Abstract There is growing evidence that physical activity (PA) can improve quality of life (QOL) and reduce fatigue in cancer survivors. Research staff or healthcare providers have delivered PA interventions to cancer populations. As a first step to dissemination of a previously tested PA intervention, seven American Cancer Society Reach to Recovery volunteers (mean age,=,57.4 years) were trained to deliver the telephone-based intervention to 25 breast cancer survivors (mean age,=,52.9 years, 56% Stage 2 cancer, mean of 3.3 years since diagnosis). A single group design was used. The theory-based intervention consisted of 12 weekly calls to encourage participants to adopt moderate-intensity PA. Participants' PA, QOL, mood, and fatigue were assessed at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks. Data on intervention feasibility and preliminary effects were collected. The intervention was feasible (mean of 10.7 out of 12 calls were delivered) and acceptable to the volunteers. At 12 weeks, there were significant increases in participants' PA and improvements in fatigue, QOL, and vigor. Effects were maintained at 24 weeks. This pilot study demonstrated that it was feasible for trained volunteers to deliver a telephone-based PA intervention to breast cancer survivors, and there were positive effects on survivors' PA behavior and psychological outcomes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

School physical activity interventions: do not forget about obesity bias

OBESITY REVIEWS, Issue 1 2008
P. B. Rukavina
Summary Obesity bias is the tendency to negatively judge an overweight or obese individual based on assumed and/or false character traits, such as being physically unattractive, incompetent, lazy and lacking self-discipline. Obesity biases, such as teasing or weight criticism during physical activity (PA), can be psychologically or emotionally damaging for overweight children and adolescents. Ultimately, the effects students experience over time may create a psychological barrier and students can become resistant to schools' health and PA interventions that promote lifestyle changes. Fortunately, the psychological effects of obesity bias are mediated by social buffers and coping mechanisms. Several PA-related researchers have proposed strategic intervention components, but no studies have been completed in PA settings. The purpose of this review was to discuss the nature and different types of obesity bias in PA settings. Major theoretical frameworks of the aetiology and change mechanisms of obesity biases from the psychological literature were reviewed and direct applications for strategic component interventions were made for PA settings. Because of the pervasiveness and entrenchment of obesity bias, it is obvious that multiple theoretical frameworks need to be considered and even combined to create safe and caring school PA environments for students. [source]

Physical activity in cancer survivors: a field in motion

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
Kerry S. Courneya
Abstract Physical activity (PA) is an important health behavior in almost any population but it may be particularly helpful for cancer survivors. Objective: To introduce this special issue on PA in cancer survivors and to provide a summary of its important contributions to the field. Methods: A brief historical review of PA research in cancer survivors followed by a narrative review of the articles published in this special issue. Results: This special issue contains 13 original articles reporting 15 studies on PA in cancer survivors. Just over half of the studies focus on breast cancer survivors, whereas the remainder focus on understudied cancer survivor groups such as lung, ovarian, colorectal, prostate, hematologic, and pediatric. Moreover, a majority of the studies focus on the survivorship phase of the cancer continuum. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of this special issue is the number of studies focusing on the determinants of PA. Taken together, the 13 articles make significant contributions in four areas: (1) randomized controlled trials of PA interventions with supportive care endpoints, (2) observational studies on the determinants of PA, (3) observational studies on the ,determinants of PA determinants', and (4) studies on methodological and feasibility issues related to conducting PA trials. Conclusions: PA research is making an important contribution to the health and well-being of cancer survivors across the entire cancer control continuum. This special issue builds on this momentum and provides the single largest collective contribution of knowledge to date in the field of PA in cancer survivors. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

A pilot study on disseminating physical activity promotion among cancer survivors: a brief report

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
Bernardine M. Pinto
Abstract There is growing evidence that physical activity (PA) can improve quality of life (QOL) and reduce fatigue in cancer survivors. Research staff or healthcare providers have delivered PA interventions to cancer populations. As a first step to dissemination of a previously tested PA intervention, seven American Cancer Society Reach to Recovery volunteers (mean age,=,57.4 years) were trained to deliver the telephone-based intervention to 25 breast cancer survivors (mean age,=,52.9 years, 56% Stage 2 cancer, mean of 3.3 years since diagnosis). A single group design was used. The theory-based intervention consisted of 12 weekly calls to encourage participants to adopt moderate-intensity PA. Participants' PA, QOL, mood, and fatigue were assessed at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks. Data on intervention feasibility and preliminary effects were collected. The intervention was feasible (mean of 10.7 out of 12 calls were delivered) and acceptable to the volunteers. At 12 weeks, there were significant increases in participants' PA and improvements in fatigue, QOL, and vigor. Effects were maintained at 24 weeks. This pilot study demonstrated that it was feasible for trained volunteers to deliver a telephone-based PA intervention to breast cancer survivors, and there were positive effects on survivors' PA behavior and psychological outcomes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]