Evaluation of the Healthy Living after Cancer text message-delivered, extended contact intervention using the RE-AIM framework

• Published in: BMC cancer 2021-10, Vol.21 (1), p.1-1081, Article 1081
• Main Authors: Job, Jennifer R, Eakin, Elizabeth G, Reeves, Marina M, Fjeldsoe, Brianna S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavior; Body weight loss; Cancer; Cancer survivors; Care and treatment; Clinical trials; Coaching; Continuum of care; Diet; Exercise; Extended contact; Goal setting; Health aspects; Health behavior; Health promotion; Intervention; Interviews; Lifestyles; Maintenance; Management; Methods; Physical activity; Problem solving; Relapse; Text messages; Text messaging; Weight
• ISSN: 1471-2407; 1471-2407
• DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08806-4

Background Text message-delivered interventions have potential to prevent weight regain and maintain diet and physical activity behaviours through extending contact with participants following initial weight loss, lifestyle interventions. Using the RE-AIM Framework, this study evaluated the adoption, reach, implementation, effectiveness, and maintenance of an extended contact text-message intervention following the Healthy Living after Cancer (HLaC) program. HLaC was a 6-month, telephone-delivered intervention targeting healthy diet, physical activity and weight loss for adult cancer survivors, offered by Cancer Councils (CCs) in Australia. Methods HLaC completers (n = 182) were offered extended contact via text messages for 6-months (HLaC+Txt). Text message content/frequency was individually tailored to participant's preferences, ascertained through two telephone-tailoring interviews with CC staff. Adoption (HLaC+Txt uptake among eligible CCs), reach (uptake by HLaC completers) and implementation (intervention cost/length; text dose) were assessed. The effectiveness of extended contact relative to historic controls was quantified by pre-to-post HLaC+Txt changes in self-reported: weight, moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), fruit and vegetable intake, fat and fibre behaviour. Maintenance, following 6-months of noncontact for the intervention cohort, was assessed for these same variables. Semi-structured interviews with CC staff and participants contextualised outcomes. Results HLaC+Txt was adopted by all four CCs who had delivered HLaC. In total, 115 participants commenced HLaC+Txt, with reach ranging across CCs from 47 to 80% of eligible participants. The mean number of weeks participants received the text message intervention ranged across CCs from 18.5-22.2 weeks. Participants received (median, 25th,75th percentile) 83 (48, 119) texts, ranging across CCs from 40 to 112. The total cost of HLaC+Txt delivery was on average $AUD85.00/participant. No meaningful (p < 0.05) differences in self-reported outcomes were seen between HLaC+Txt and control cohorts. After 6-months no contact the intervention cohort had maintained weight, fruit intake, fat and fibre index scores relative to end of HLaC+Txt outcomes. Participants/CC staff perceived an important intervention component was maintaining accountability. Conclusions While feasible to implement, HLaC+Txt was not effective in the short term. However, intervention effects during the non-contact period sug