Digitally Mediated Occupational Therapy Program to Increase Physical Activity in Urban and Rural Breast Cancer Survivors Who Have Undergone Breast-conserving Surgery or Mastectomy
We will evaluate a novel 8-week telehealth-delivered occupational therapy (OT) program among breast cancer survivors that seeks to promote engagement in aerobic physical activity (PA) and muscle strengthening exercise (MSE). The telehealth-based delivery of this OT program circumvents some barriers to OT access and participation (e.g., time burden; distance to OT clinic) among breast cancer survivors- particularly important for Oklahoma given that 33% of residents live in rural areas. Additionally, the focus of this program is to promote the preferred aerobic PA and MSE choices of each individual survivor to increase the likelihood of long-term PA engagement. In turn, participants will be more likely to experience the longer-term benefits associated with PA such as improved physical functioning, reduced anxiety, depressive, and pain symptoms, better sleep, and better cardiorespiratory fitness.
• ≥18 years old.
• Ability to speak/read English.
• Ability to provide informed consent.
• Having ever received a histologically confirmed diagnosis of invasive breast carcinoma.
• Having undergone breast conserving surgery or mastectomy for BC in the last 12 months.
• Owning a smartphone and/or computer with internet access.
• Willing to participate in once-weekly telehealth-delivered OT sessions for eight weeks.