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Analyzing Theoretical Mechanisms of Physical Activity Behavior Change in Breast Cancer Survivors: Results from the Activity Promotion (ACTION) Trial

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

We previously reported that a physical activity (PA) behavior change intervention based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) increased PA and quality of life in breast cancer survivors.

Purpose

To examine the effects of our interventions on TPB variables and to determine if PA at 12 weeks follow-up was mediated by TPB variables at 4 weeks.

Methods

Breast cancer survivors (N = 377) were randomly assigned to receive either a standard public health recommendation for PA (SR group), a step pedometer alone, or one of two TPB-based behavior change interventions consisting of print materials (alone or combined with a step pedometer). For the purpose of this study, we compared the two TPB-based intervention groups (INT group) to the SR group.

Results

Compared to the SR group, the INT group reported more favorable changes in instrumental attitude (mean difference = 0.13; 95% CI = −0.01 to 0.23; d = 0.19; p = 0.077), intention (mean difference = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.10 to 0.56; d = 0.33; p = 0.006), and planning (mean difference = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.04 to 0.73; d = 0.26; p = 0.027). Mediation analyses indicated that both planning and intention partially mediated the effects of the intervention on PA at 12 weeks.

Conclusions

Our TPB-based behavior change intervention resulted in small improvements in the TPB constructs that partially mediated the effects of our intervention on PA behavior. Additional research with the TPB is warranted.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a research team grant from the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) with funds from the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and the CCS/NCIC Sociobehavioral Cancer Research Network. At the time of this study, Jeffrey K.H. Vallance was supported by a Canada Graduate Scholarship from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and a Doctoral Incentive Award from the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR). Jeffrey K.H. Vallance is now with the Centre for Nursing and Health Studies at Athabasca University. Kerry S. Courneya is supported by the Canada Research Chairs Program. Ronald C. Plotnikoff is supported by Salary Awards from CIHR and AHFMR.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, E-488 Van Vliet Centre, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G-2H9

    Jeffrey K. H. Vallance Ph.D. & Kerry S. Courneya Ph.D.

  2. Centre for Health Promotion Studies, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 5–10 University Extension Centre, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2T4

    Ronald C. Plotnikoff Ph.D.

  3. Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 1Z2

    John R. Mackey M.D.

Authors
  1. Jeffrey K. H. Vallance Ph.D.
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  2. Kerry S. Courneya Ph.D.
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  3. Ronald C. Plotnikoff Ph.D.
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  4. John R. Mackey M.D.
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Correspondence to Kerry S. Courneya Ph.D..

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Vallance, J.K.H., Courneya, K.S., Plotnikoff, R.C. et al. Analyzing Theoretical Mechanisms of Physical Activity Behavior Change in Breast Cancer Survivors: Results from the Activity Promotion (ACTION) Trial. ann. behav. med. 35, 150–158 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-008-9019-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-008-9019-x

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