Mobile Health and Social Media Physical Activity Intervention Among Adolescent and Young Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors, the StepByStep Study

This phase III trial compares a multi-component mobile health and social media physical activity intervention versus wearing a physical activity tracker alone among adolescent and young adult childhood cancer survivors. Regular physical activity helps maintain healthy weight, energy levels, and health. Adolescents and young adults who complete treatment for cancer are often less active. They may gain weight and have more health problems compared to people the same age who have not had treatment for cancer. Comparing the 2 programs will help researchers learn how to increase physical activity levels over time and also how changes in physical activity levels affect health and quality of life over time.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To evaluate the effects of a multi-component physical activity intervention including a Fitbit, individualized goal setting, and a social media peer support group compared to the control condition (Fitbit only) on physical activity among adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer (AYA survivors) who do not meet physical activity guidelines. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To evaluate the effects of a multi-component physical activity intervention including a Fitbit, individualized goal setting, and a social media peer support group compared to the control condition (Fitbit only) on biomarkers predictive of cardiometabolic health among adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer (AYA survivors) who do not meet physical activity guidelines. II. To evaluate the effects of a multi-component physical activity intervention including a Fitbit, individualized goal setting, and a social media peer support group compared to the control condition (Fitbit only) on health-related quality of life among adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer (AYA survivors) who do not meet physical activity guidelines. OUTLINE: Participants are randomized to 1 of 2 groups. INTERVENTION GROUP: Participants receive educational materials about physical activity. INTENSIVE PHASE (24 WEEKS): Participants wear a physical activity tracker (Fitbit) daily as well as receiving weekly reminders from study staff to wear it. They also receive goal setting sessions each week (by text, phone call, etc.) to set personalized step count goals using the Fitbit application (app). Lastly, participants receive an invitation to follow and post on an online social media peer support group (Instagram), where study staff provide encouraging advice and messages about physical activity 2-3 times per week, announce badges/awards every week, and moderate a forum to discuss physical activity and use of the Fitbit. MAINTENANCE PHASE (24 WEEKS): Participants wear a Fitbit daily but do not receive reminders to wear it. They also set their own step count goals weekly and check in with study staff monthly for assistance with goal setting. Participants take the lead posting content on the Instagram account moderated by the study staff. Study staff only post once per week with general physical activity-related questions and provide no badges. CONTROL GROUP: Participants receive educational materials about physical activity and wear a Fitbit daily for 48 weeks.