title: A randomized trial of a Facebook-based physical activity intervention for young adult cancer survivors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Over half of young adult cancer survivors do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines. PA interventions can enhance health and quality of life among young adult cancer survivors. However, few exercise interventions have been designed and tested in this population. This study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a 12-week, Facebook-based intervention (FITNET) aimed at increasing moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA compared with a Facebook-based self-help comparison (SC) condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Young adult cancer survivors (n = 86) were randomly assigned to the FITNET or SC group. All participants were asked to complete self-administered online questionnaires at baseline and after 12 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-seven percent of participants completed postintervention assessments, and most participants reported using intervention components as intended. Participants in both groups would recommend the program to other young adult cancer survivors (FITNET, 46.9 vs. SC, 61.8 %; p = 0.225). Over 12 weeks, both groups increased self-reported weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA (FITNET, 67 min/week (p = 0.009) vs. SC, 46 min/week (p = 0.045)), with no significant difference between groups. Increases in light PA were 135 min/week greater in the FITNET group relative to the SC group (p = 0.032), and the FITNET group reported significant weight loss over time (-2.1 kg, p = 0.004; p = 0.083 between groups).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Facebook-based intervention approaches demonstrated potential for increasing PA in young adult cancer survivors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Social networking sites may be a feasible way for young adult cancer survivors to receive health information and support to promote PA and healthy behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. carmina.valle@unc.edu
authors.forename: Carmina G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Valle
authors.forename: Deborah F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.forename: Deborah K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: Marlyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allicock
authors.forename: Jianwen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019058:Community Networks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D020377:Self Efficacy; D060756:Social Networking; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult