Wellness Coaching: An Intervention to Increase Healthy Behavior in Breast Cancer Survivors

BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity after breast cancer diagnosis improves survival rates and quality of life (QOL). However, breast cancer survivors rarely meet guidelines for recommended levels of physical activity. Wellness coaching interventions (WCIs) have improved exercise and health behaviors in other populations but have rarely been studied in breast cancer. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of WCIs for increasing physical activity in breast cancer survivors; secondary measures included changes in dietary habits, weight, and QOL. METHODS: Twenty obese or overweight breast cancer survivors who recently completed active breast cancer treatment were recruited into a single-arm 12-week WCI pilot feasibility study. The intervention comprised 1 in-person wellness coaching visit followed by 4 telephone calls over 12 weeks and 12 weekly emails containing wellness recommendations. Physical activity level, dietary habits, weight, and QOL were all self-reported. FINDINGS: The 20 breast cancer survivors demonstrated 100% adherence to the initial wellness coaching visit and 96% adherence to the 4 telephone calls. Significant improvements from before to after intervention were seen in physical activity level and dietary habits and in some aspects of QOL. Forty percent of participants achieved the 3% postintervention weight-loss goal, but this was not sustained at 30 weeks.