Latinas Integrating Fitness and Therapy (LIFT)

Summary

Investigators are studying how combining a stepped-care mental health counseling program with an evidence-based exercise program can help Latina cancer survivors feel better mentally and physically. The goal is to improve stress, emotions, and physical activity during and after cancer treatment. In addition, investigators will examine the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention among Latina cancer survivors.

Detailed description

This study will be 10 weeks and offered online via Zoom. Participants can choose for their exercise and counseling sessions and materials to be in English or Spanish. If participants join they will: (1) Complete surveys at the beginning, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 10 weeks. These may consist of questions asking about levels of anxiety and depression, physical activity, and quality of life. (2) At week 1 and week 10, be asked to complete assessments of physical ability, which include muscular endurance and balance. (3) Participate in an 8-week evidence-based exercise program, which includes: one-hour exercise session 1 time per week and three, 30-minute discussion sessions to help them stay active after the study ends. (4) Receive one orientation meeting the counselor and up to seven one-hour individual counseling sessions with a counselor who will be supervised by a licensed therapist. The number of counseling sessions received will depend on their feelings or symptoms of anxiety or depression. If these symptoms are mild, they will receive fewer sessions. Counseling session will last approximately 1-hour and be online. (5) Counseling, exercise, and discussion sessions will be recorded for training purposes, but will keep identities private. (6) The total time commitment will be between 1-3 hours per week, for 8-weeks.

Arms & interventions

• BehavioralStepped Care Mental Health Counseling

  Counseling Sessions: Everyone will have one orientation session with a counselor to learn about the study. After that, based on their levels of anxiety and depression, they may get between 1 and 7 counseling sessions. Milder levels of depression and anxiety will receive fewer sessions. The counseling sessions can include a self-help guide, coping strategies, self-help tips, and a type of therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is specially adapted for Latina cancer survivors. The counseling sessions will take place online via zoom.

• BehavioralExercise Program

  The exercise program consists of easy to moderate aerobic and resistance training and discussions about staying active. These sessions will take place in your home, on zoom, led by a qualified exercise professional, and may be held in a group with other Latina cancer survivors. They will receive exercise equipment to use during the study and keep after the study ends. Exercise sessions are once per week for about an hour, and the discussion sessions take place before or after three of these sessions, and last about 30-45 minutes. If they miss a session or want to review, they will have access to recorded videos.

Outcome measures

Eligibility criteria