Feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth, individually-tailored healthy lifestyle intervention for adolescent and young adult pediatric cancer survivors

Abstract

Objective Poor nutrition and physical activity pose negative health risks for adolescent and young adult pediatric cancer survivors (AYACS). Our pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluated feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth intervention (ENHANCE) supporting AYACS’ nutrition and physical activity. Methods We randomized 58 AYACS and their adult care partner, when applicable, to the ENHANCE or control condition. Inclusion required an age of 15–25 years, previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and no eating disorder history. We utilized a 2:1 (ENHANCE [n = 35]: control [n = 23]) double-blind block randomization protocol in blocks of 6. ENHANCE comprised 12 (60-min) sessions that included education, skill-building, and values-based healthy lifestyle decision-making. The first five sessions included motivational interviewing and the final seven sessions included problem-solving training/goal setting. We evaluated feasibility based on eligibility, enrollment, attrition, and study completion percentages. We assessed fidelity using the Session Content-Fidelity Rating Tool and the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity Coding form. We assessed acceptability using the Abbreviated Acceptability Rating Profile, the Revised Helping Alliance Questionnaire, and participants’ exit interviews. Results ENHANCE was feasible and highly acceptable; all but one participant who started the intervention completed all 12 sessions and all participants reported enjoying the intervention via objective assessment and during exit interviews. Interventionists delivered ENHANCE with high fidelity. Conclusions ENHANCE was highly acceptable among AYACS and care partners. The telehealth study design was feasible, suggesting benefits and feasibility of a future, larger, multisite RCT. Promising findings support our methodological decisions as important considerations to inform a larger RCT.