Feasibility of a virtual game-based activity intervention in breast cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic

Research Objectives: Report the feasibility of a virtual active video game (AVG)-based physical activity (PA) support group intervention for older breast cancer survivors (Pink Warrior 2) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Setting: Home-based virtual intervention

Participants: Physically inactive breast cancer survivors aged ≥ 55 years.

Interventions: Pink Warrior 2 was a virtual PA intervention that included 13-weekly AVG sessions, a Fitbit for self-monitoring, and behavioral coaching via videoconference. Participants in the control group participated in a weekly group phone discussion on cancer survivorship topics and wore a Mi band, an electronic activity monitor. Unlike Fitbit’s mobile application (app), Mi band’s app did not integrate behavioral change techniques (e.g., encouraging steps).

Main Outcome Measures: Feasibility was assessed by enrollment rate (≥50%), retention rate (≥80%), group attendance rate (≥10 sessions for intervention), percentage of completed assessments (questionnaires and virtual assessments), number of technological issues and adverse events.

Results: The recruitment rate was 34%. Twenty-seven participants were enrolled, and 20 were randomized into intervention or control groups. The final participant retention rate was 90%. The adherence rate for group attendance was 88% for the intervention group and 82% for the control group. 85% of participants completed all the baseline questionnaires. 96% of virtual assessments were conducted successfully without adverse events. Internet connectivity issues impacted 2 out of 56 (4%) assessments. 14% of assessments were delayed due to Actigraph monitor-related issues or participants or their family members contracting COVID-19.

Conclusions: Session adherence, retention, virtual assessments, and the number of adverse events met benchmarks for feasibility. Recruitment and completion of paper-based questionnaires were limited by challenges related to COVID-19.

Author(s) Disclosures: No known conflicts of interest.