Feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth behaviour change intervention for promoting physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption among rural-living young adult cancer survivors

Abstract

Purpose: We assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week telehealth behavior change intervention to promote physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption among rural-living young adult cancer survivors. Methods: Participants met with a health coach once a week for 60 minutes for 12 weeks. Feasibility measures included rates of recruitment, enrollment, attrition, retention, adherence, and missing data. Acceptability was assessed using semi-structured interviews. Findings: Over 1-year, 18 individuals self-referred, 9 were eligible and consented to participate, and 2 dropped out. Retention was 74% and adherence was 95%. Participants considered the length of the intervention, synchronous communication with the health coach, and the distance-based delivery mode to be acceptable. Moreover, participants described key behavior change techniques and recommended minor changes. Implications: Findings provide information that can help refine future trials seeking to increase access to behavior change interventions and optimize participation in health-promoting behaviors for underserved populations. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT03691545. Registered on October 1, 2018.