The Moving Forward Together intervention supports previously inactive breast cancer survivors to increase their physical activity. This program uses the support of peer mentors (coaches) to encourage survivors to adopt regular activity, primarily home-based walking. Peer mentors or coaches are currently physically active. The intervention lasts 12 weeks; coaches and participants speak once per week and discuss physical activity progress, problem-solve barriers to becoming regularly active and set activity goals for the next week.
Moving Forward Together 4 (MFT4)
MFT4 was designed to support increasing physical activity during the 12-week study duration. Our research team partnered with three cancer care organizations across the United States to assist with coach and participant recruitment.
Eligible participants were inactive breast cancer survivors, mainly living in South Carolina, who could walk without assistance. Participants (n=61) were provided with a Fitbit to support their physical activity goals up to the recommended levels of 150 minutes/week. Coaches (n-10) were recruited, trained and supervised to deliver the program, by research staff.
Intervention Group (n=30): Study participants spoke with their coach on a weekly basis. Coaches used a web-platform to contact their assigned participant and document study related data.
Control Group (n=31): Study participants monitored their physical activity using the Fitbit but did not speak with a coach.
Results
Although both groups significantly increased their physical activity, use of the web platform by the coaches did not support significant improvements in physical activity in the Intervention Group compared to the Control group at end of study.
Read what participants and coaches who participated in MFT4 had to say:
- “I feel like what motivated me was just noticing how different I was feeling.” (Participant)
- “I did want to try and be more active, I know I do not want to have to go through this again with breast cancer, period.” (Participant)
- “You care about your participant… you’re part of their journey with them.” (Peer mentor/coach)
- “Extremely rewarding to have helped women succeed and feel positive both physically and emotionally.” (Peer mentor/coach)
View our current publications from the MFT4 study:
Pinto BM, Patel A, Ostendorf DM, Huebschmann AG, Dunsiger SI, Kindred MM. Adapting an Efficacious Peer-Delivered Physical Activity Program for Survivors of Breast Cancer for Web Platform Delivery: Protocol for a 2-Phase Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2024 Jun 19.
Pinto BM, Kindred M, Dunsiger S, Mitchell S, Patel A, Ostendorf D, Huebschmann AG. Effects of web platform delivery of a physical activity program for breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial. J Cancer Surviv. 2025 May 27.
Ostendorf DM, Huebschmann AG, Wickersham KE, Kindred M, Pinto BM. Adopting and implementing an efficacious peer-delivered physical activity program for web platform delivery in survivors of breast cancer: organizational readiness and perspectives. Transl Behav Med. 2025 Jan 16.
Interested in learning more? Contact us at NURSMFT4@mailbox.sc.edu.
This project is supported by Grant number RO1-CA242745-01 from the National Cancer Institute.