Effectiveness of an online multi-module intervention for cancer survivors on dietary behavior, smoking cessation, and physical activity

Background: Online interventions have been proven effective in changing lifestyle behaviors and therefore can be beneficial for cancer survivors. We assessed the effectiveness of the online ‘Kanker Nazorg Wijzer (KNW)’ (Cancer Aftercare Guide) on diet, physical activity, and smoking outcomes.Methods: Survivors participated in a RCT (intervention [IC]: n = 232, 79.3% females, mean age 55.6 years; usual-care control [UC]: n = 231, 80.5% females; mean age 56.1 years). Data was obtained from online questionnaires and analyzed at baseline and after 6 months (n=325; 70.2%) using multilevel analysis.Preliminary findings: IC reported significantly higher vegetable (B = 14.08, p = .003) and whole wheat bread (B = 0.43, p = .05) consumption and a nearly significant increase in days per week activity (IC = .34 days, UC = .20 days; B = .29, p = .09). A higher proportion of smokers (11.1%) quit smoking in IC (UC = 3.1%). Comparative tests for smoking behavior were impossible due to the small numbers.Discussion: Preliminary results indicate the KNW to be effective in changing dietary behavior. Trend effects on physical activity might consolidate over time, simultaneously with a decrease of possible medical complaints