The online delivery of exercise oncology classes supported with health coaching: A pilot randomized controlled trial

PurposeThe primary objective was to investigate the feasibility of a synchronous, online delivered, group-based, supervised, exercise oncology maintenance program supported with health coaching. MethodsAll participants had previously completed a 12-week group-based exercise study. In the current study, participants were randomized to a 12-week exercise oncology maintenance class with or without health coaching. The primary outcome was feasibility, assessed as intervention attendance, safety and fidelity, study recruitment, attrition and outcome assessment completion. Additionally, semi-structured interviews at the end of the intervention provided participants perspectives on intervention feasibility. ResultsForty participants (n8WK=25; n12WK=15) enrolled in the study. Feasibility was confirmed for recruitment rate (42.6%), attrition rate (2.5%), safety (no adverse events), health coaching attendance (97%), health coaching fidelity (96.7%), class attendance (91.2%), class fidelity (92.6%), and assessment completion (questionnaire=98.8%; physical functioning=97.5%). Based on the qualitative feedback, feasibility was facilitated by the convenience, while the diminished ability to connect with other participants online was a drawback compared to in-person delivery. ConclusionThe synchronous online delivery of an exercise oncology maintenance class, the additional health coaching support, and the tools used to measure the intervention effectiveness were feasible for individuals living with and beyond cancer.