title: Detailed methods of two home-based vegetable gardening intervention trials to improve diet, physical activity, and quality of life in two different populations of cancer survivors.
abstract: Cancer survivors suffer from long-term adverse effects that reduce health-related quality of life (QOL) and physical functioning, creating an urgent need to develop effective, durable, and disseminable interventions. Harvest for Health, a home-based vegetable gardening intervention, holds promise for these domains.
  
  
  
  This report describes the methods and recruitment experiences from two randomized controlled feasibility trials that employ a waitlist-controlled design. Delivered in partnership with Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, this intervention provides one-on-one mentorship of cancer survivors in planning and maintaining three seasonal vegetable gardens over 12months. The primary aim is to determine intervention feasibility and acceptability; secondary aims are to explore effects on objective and subjective measures of diet, physical activity and function, and QOL and examine participant factors associated with potential effects. One trial is conducted exclusively among 82 female breast cancer survivors residing in the Birmingham, AL metropolitan area (BBCS); another broadly throughout Alabama among 46 older cancer survivors aged >60 (ASCS).
  
  
  
  Response rates were 32.6% (BBCS) and 52.3% (ASCS). Both trials exceeded 80% of their accrual target. Leading reasons for ineligibility were removal of >10 lymph nodes (lymphedema risk factor), lack of physician approval, and unwillingness to be randomized to the waitlist.
  
  
  
  To date, recruitment and implementation of Harvest for Health appears feasible.
  
  
  
  Although both studies encountered recruitment challenges, lessons learned can inform future larger-scale studies. Vegetable gardening interventions are of interest to cancer survivors and may provide opportunities to gain life skills leading to improvements in overall health and QOL.
authors: Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1675 University Boulevard, Webb Building 346, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States. Electronic address: mgcases@uab.edu.
authors: Mallory G
authors: MG
authors: Cases
authors: Department of Nutrition Sciences, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1675 University Boulevard, Webb Building 346, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States.
authors: Andrew D
authors: AD
authors: Frugé
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, The Kirklin Clinic at Acton Road, 2145 Bonner Way, Birmingham, AL 35243, United States.
authors: Jennifer F
authors: JF
authors: De Los Santos
authors: Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1530 3rd Avenue South, CH19-Room 218F, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States.
authors: Julie L
authors: JL
authors: Locher
authors: Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 University Boulevard, Ryals Public Health Building, Room 327, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States.
authors: Alan B
authors: AB
authors: Cantor
authors: Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama A&M University and Auburn University, 101 Funchess Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849, United States.
authors: Kerry P
authors: KP
authors: Smith
authors: Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama A&M University and Auburn University, 101 Funchess Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849, United States.
authors: Tony A
authors: TA
authors: Glover
authors: Center for the Study of Aging, Duke University, Room 3502 Blue Zone, Duke University Medical Center Box 3003, Durham, NC 27710, United States.
authors: Harvey J
authors: HJ
authors: Cohen
authors: Department of Biology, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1675 University Boulevard, Webb Building 346, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Daniel
authors: Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2nd Avenue South, THT 926, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States.
authors: Casey D
authors: CD
authors: Morrow
authors: Department of Nutrition Sciences, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1675 University Boulevard, Webb Building 346, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States; UAB Diabetes Research Center, Bioanalytical Redox Biology Core, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1670 University Boulevard, VH G004, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States.
authors: Douglas R
authors: DR
authors: Moellering
authors: Department of Nutrition Sciences, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1675 University Boulevard, Webb Building 346, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States.
authors: Wendy
authors: W
authors: Demark-Wahnefried
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D000073116:Cancer Survivors; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D051639:Gardening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D014675:Vegetables
keywords: Cancer survivors; Diet; Gardening; Neoplasms; Physical function; Quality of life