The Skin Savvy Study: A Behavioral Skin Cancer Prevention Intervention

NCT ID: NCT00709306

Last Updated: 2018-08-31

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 197 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2006-03-31
• Study Completion Date: 2010-06-30

Brief Summary

The purpose of the proposed project is to investigate the efficacy and longevity of two novel approaches to changing skin protection behaviors: 1) UV-detect photos that reveal currently existing skin damage and 2) motivational interviewing (MI), a person-centered, yet directive counseling style used to enhance internal motivation to change health behaviors. The proposed investigations include a pilot study to refine the methodology; a small formal randomized controlled efficacy trial; and a dismantling study. These studies will also expand current knowledge and research in several major ways: 1) the use of UV-detect photos will enable highly salient and personalized feedback, 2) MI will be used in a previously untried health domain (skin cancer prevention), 3) objective skin color changes will be measured using state-of-the-art skin reflectance spectrophotometry, and 4) the proposed studies will test aspects of several major psychological theories (e.g., Transtheoretical Model, Prototype/Willingness Model) to identify moderators/mediators of outcome.

Detailed Description

Teens and young adults are at high risk for overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a leading factor in the development of skin cancer. The majority of these individuals continue to protect themselves minimally and tan intentionally, including significant increases in tanning booth use recently. Such care-free behaviors exist despite widespread education/awareness about UV radiation and skin cancer. The purpose of the proposed project is to investigate the efficacy and longevity of two novel approaches to changing skin protection behaviors: 1) UV-detect photos that reveal currently existing skin damage and 2) motivational interviewing (MI), a person-centered, yet directive counseling style used to enhance internal motivation to change health behaviors. The proposed investigations include a pilot study to refine the methodology; a small formal randomized controlled efficacy trial; and a dismantling study. These studies will also expand current knowledge and research in several major ways: 1) the use of UV-detect photos will enable highly salient and personalized feedback, 2) MI will be used in a previously untried health domain (skin cancer prevention), 3) objective skin color changes will be measured using state-of-the-art skin reflectance spectrophotometry, and 4) the proposed studies will test aspects of several major psychological theories (e.g., Transtheoretical Model, Prototype/Willingness Model) to identify moderators/mediators of outcome. Therefore, the studies should provide useful information about process and outcome for skin cancer prevention researchers and clinicians.

Conditions

Skin Cancer Prevention

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: FACTORIAL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Education

Participants were given a packet of standard skin cancer prevention educational brochures and handouts from major professional organizations to review independently for 10-15 minutes.

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Education

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Education

Motivational Interviewing

Participants met with a trained counselor who reviewed any personalized feedback of risk derived from the baseline assessments (e.g., history of sunburns, self-reported UV exposure, protective behaviors). Counselors utilized the basic motivational interviewing skills of open-ended questions, reflection of participant statements, affirmations/positive feedback, and summation of major points throughout the discussion. These sessions took about 22 minutes.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Motivational Interviewing

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Motivational Interviewing

UV-detect photos

Participants were shown a regular black and white photo and a black and white UV-filtered photo of their face. Participants were told that "Any dark, spotted, freckled, wrinkled, uneven, or pitted areas indicate existing underlying skin damage that is difficult to reverse. However, protecting the skin from UV radiation can prevent future damage." Participants were asked what they noticed about the photos, what their reactions were, and how this might affect their behavior. These sessions took 12 minutes on average.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

UV-Detect Photos

Intervention Type: DEVICE

UV-Detect Photos

UV-detect photos & MI

Participants met with a trained counselor who reviewed any personalized feedback of risk derived from the baseline assessments (e.g., history of sunburns, self-reported UV exposure, protective behaviors). Counselors utilized the basic motivational interviewing skills of open-ended questions, reflection of participant statements, affirmations/positive feedback, and summation of major points throughout the discussion. In addition to baseline feedback, participants were also interviewed about the black \& white and UV-filtered photos of their faces. These sessions took about 25 minutes.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

UV-Detect Photos

Intervention Type: DEVICE

UV-Detect Photos

Motivational Interviewing

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Motivational Interviewing

Interventions

UV-Detect Photos

UV-Detect Photos

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Education

Education

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• 18 or older

Exclusion Criteria

• Visual impairment

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 24 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

NIH

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Fox Chase Cancer Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Carolyn Heckman

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Carolyn Heckman, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Fox Chase Cancer Center

Locations

Fox Chase Cancer Center

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

K07CA108685

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

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K07CA108685

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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