Telehealth Weight Loss Program for Breast Cancer Survivors

NCT ID: NCT04855552

Last Updated: 2026-01-09

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

22 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-07-19

Study Completion Date

2026-12-31

Brief Summary

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This is a single-arm longitudinal group to examine patient-reported outcomes, body mass and mammographic density changes pre- and post- weight loss intervention of breast cancer survivors using video conferencing telehealth visits.

Detailed Description

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Participants will receive weekly group sessions of lifestyle counseling for the first 20 weeks, followed by every other week sessions in weeks 22 and 24, for a total of 6 months of intervention. These group sessions, with 6 participants per group, will be delivered virtually via a HIPAA Compliant Teleconference Platform. The expected number of participants is at least 2 and no more than 6 in this 90-min group sessions which will be provided by a counselor from Penn Center for Weight and Eating Disorders.

The content of the sessions addresses the domains associated with behavioral weight management, including nutrition, exercise, stress and emotion management, and lifestyle modification strategies (to improve adherence to the diet and activity plan). Participants will monitor energy intake and physical activity daily to help them achieve recommended calorie and activity goals. Self-monitoring will be encouraged online with MyFitnessPal.com, which will be shared with the study staff to increase accountability and provide opportunity for feedback to participants.

Each participant will also be mailed a digital scale so they can weigh themselves each week and report their weight to the group leader. Participants will be encouraged to start with at least 10 minutes of moderately vigorous physical activity (e.g., brisk walking, swimming), at least five days per week, building up to at least 30 minutes per day (150 minutes per week) by week 6.

The primary objective is to assess feasibility and acceptance of telehealth weight loss intervention by the participants. The participants will be asked to complete the following surveys at two time points: baseline (pre-) and treatment end (at week 24). The participants will complete the following psychosocial measures.

1. City of Hope Quality of Life (COH-QOL) Instrument - Breast Cancer Patient (QOL-BC)
2. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) Short Form - that assess the types and intensity of physical activity and sitting time in which people routinely engage. It provides an estimate of total physical activity in MET-min/week and time spent sitting.
3. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) (Depression)
4. Acceptability of Intervention Measure

Finally, investigators will conduct an exit interview with each participant to assess the acceptability of the intervention, the delivery of the intervention via telehealth, and the patients' satisfaction with their treatment outcomes. Investigators will also solicit suggestions for improvements to the program for future interventions.

The secondary objectives are to measure changes from pre- to post weight-loss intervention for 1) body mass and 2) mammographic breast density.

To assess body mass changes, weight will be reported at baseline and after week 24 of the intervention. The scale will be mailed to participants at the beginning of the study. Participants' height from the electronic medical record will be used. Percent weight loss will be calculated to assess weight change across participants.

To assess mammographic breast density changes, investigators will measure mammographic density of annual mammogram pre- and post weight-loss program. Annual mammograms are routinely performed for breast cancer survivors except for those who have had bilateral mastectomy. Two annual mammograms will be used to measure mammographic density. The annual mammogram performed between 1 month - 12 months prior to weight loss program initiation will be used as baseline (pre-intervention). The post-intervention mammogram will be the first annual mammogram performed after weight loss program. If routine annual mammogram occurs during the 20-week weight loss program, then the next annual mammogram will be used for breast density assessment.

Therefore, study duration for each participant from enrollment to completion (mammographic density) is estimated to be up to 24 months.

Conditions

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Cancer Survivors Cancer of Breast Body Weight Overweight and Obesity

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Single-arm longitudinal group to examine patient-reported outcomes, body mass, and mammographic density changes pre-and post-intervention.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

12 patients (and possibly up to 20) (2 telehealth groups with at least 6 participants; 1 group leader per group)

Study Groups

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Single-Arms Longitudinal Group

Behavioral weight-loss program via telehealth (video conferencing). Participants will receive weekly group sessions of lifestyle counseling for the first 20-weeks, followed by every other week sessions in weeks 22 and 24, for a total of 6-months of intervention.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral Weight-loss Program Via Telehealth

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Investigators will use a manual based on the DPP, as adapted previously for the endometrial cancer population and now adapted for breast cancer survivors. Dr.Courtney McCuen-Wurst, has extensive experience in working with persons with overweight and obesity with medical comorbidities. She also has experience leading group interventions at our Center via telehealth. The content of the sessions addresses the domains associated with behavioral weight management including nutrition, exercise, stress and emotion management, and lifestyle modification strategies (to improve adherence to the diet and activity plan). Participants will monitor energy intake and physical activity daily to help them achieve recommended calorie and activity goals. Self-monitoring will be encouraged online with MyFitnessPal.com, which will be shared with the study staff to increase accountability and provide opportunity for feedback to participants.

Behavioral Weight-Loss Program Via Telehealth - Weight Measures

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Each participant will also be mailed a digital scale (Eat Smart) so they can weigh themselves each week and report their weight to the group leader; patients will be encouraged to take a picture of their weight on the scale after they step off (the number remains for 3-seconds) and send the picture to Dr. McCuen-Wurst. Participants will be encouraged to start with at least 1-minutes of moderately vigorous physical activity (e.g. brisk walking, swimming), at least five days per week, building up to at least 30-minutes per day (150-minutes per week) by week-6.

Validated Surveys of Patient-Reported Outcomes

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The following surveys will be completed by participants pre- and post-intervention:

* COH-QOL Instrument - Breast Cancer Patient (QOL-BC)
* International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) Short Form
* Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) (Depression)
* Acceptability of Intervention Measure

The following survey will be completed post-intervention

• Exit interview regarding acceptability of the program.

The following measurements/clinical tests results will be collected and compared pre- and post-intervention:

* Anthropometric measurements: height (self-report); weight (as measured on scale provided by study)
* Mammographic breast density estimated in annual clinical mammogram

Interventions

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Behavioral Weight-loss Program Via Telehealth

Investigators will use a manual based on the DPP, as adapted previously for the endometrial cancer population and now adapted for breast cancer survivors. Dr.Courtney McCuen-Wurst, has extensive experience in working with persons with overweight and obesity with medical comorbidities. She also has experience leading group interventions at our Center via telehealth. The content of the sessions addresses the domains associated with behavioral weight management including nutrition, exercise, stress and emotion management, and lifestyle modification strategies (to improve adherence to the diet and activity plan). Participants will monitor energy intake and physical activity daily to help them achieve recommended calorie and activity goals. Self-monitoring will be encouraged online with MyFitnessPal.com, which will be shared with the study staff to increase accountability and provide opportunity for feedback to participants.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Behavioral Weight-Loss Program Via Telehealth - Weight Measures

Each participant will also be mailed a digital scale (Eat Smart) so they can weigh themselves each week and report their weight to the group leader; patients will be encouraged to take a picture of their weight on the scale after they step off (the number remains for 3-seconds) and send the picture to Dr. McCuen-Wurst. Participants will be encouraged to start with at least 1-minutes of moderately vigorous physical activity (e.g. brisk walking, swimming), at least five days per week, building up to at least 30-minutes per day (150-minutes per week) by week-6.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Validated Surveys of Patient-Reported Outcomes

The following surveys will be completed by participants pre- and post-intervention:

* COH-QOL Instrument - Breast Cancer Patient (QOL-BC)
* International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) Short Form
* Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) (Depression)
* Acceptability of Intervention Measure

The following survey will be completed post-intervention

• Exit interview regarding acceptability of the program.

The following measurements/clinical tests results will be collected and compared pre- and post-intervention:

* Anthropometric measurements: height (self-report); weight (as measured on scale provided by study)
* Mammographic breast density estimated in annual clinical mammogram

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* History of in situ or invasive breast cancer
* Have completed breast cancer surgery, adjuvant cytotoxic chemotherapy (as indicated) and adjuvant radiation therapy (as indicated) at least 6-months prior to enrollment
* Not on active treatment for other cancer for at least 6-months prior to enrollment
* Currently cancer free
* Overweight or obese (BMI of 25 kg/m\^2 or greater)
* Have internet access and videoconferencing capability

Exclusion Criteria

* Current use of weight loss medication (OTC or prescription) or participation in behavioral weight loss program
* Currently participating in a behavioral weight loss program
* Self-report of alcohol or substance abuse within the past 12-months, including at-risk drinking (current consumption of more than 14 drinks per week)
* Undergone bilateral mastectomy
* History of Bulimia nervosa
* Inability to provide informed consent
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Julia Tchou

Co-Director of the Rena Rowan Breast Center, Director of Breast Cancer Immuno-Oncology Research, Professor of Clinical Surgery, and Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Julia C Tchou, MD, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Pennsylvania

Locations

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University of Pennsylvania (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Other Identifiers

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844762

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

UPCC 17120

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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