Daughters, dUdes, Mothers and othErs Fighting Cancer Together (DUET)

The purpose of this protocol is to conduct a 2-arm, single-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) in which 56 dyads (defined as consisting of an overweight or obese cancer survivor of an obesity-related cancer and an overweight or obese "buddy" of his or her choosing) would be assigned either to a 6-month, diet- and exercise-based weight loss intervention delivered via an interactive website with tailored text messages, or to a 6-month wait-listed control group. The overall goals of the eHealth intervention are to reduce obesity and select circulating biomarkers (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFα], insulin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1]), as well as improve diet quality, physical activity, health-related quality of life (QoL), physical functioning and performance as compared to the control over the 6-month study period.

The specific aims of this protocol are to: 1) determine whether dyads (comprised of an overweight / obese cancer survivor and an overweight / obese buddy of his or her choosing) lose significantly more weight (kg) at 6-months when assigned to the eHealth intervention compared to a wait-listed control; 2) explore between-arm differences in score changes between baseline and 6-month follow-up for other key outcomes including measures of adiposity (e.g., waist circumference [WC] and body mass index [BMI]), blood pressure, diet quality, physical activity, health-related Quality of Life (QoL), physical functioning and performance; 3) Assess the impact of the intervention on select biomarkers associated with cancer risk and progression, e.g., tumor TNFα, insulin and IGF-1; and, 4) identify predictor variables associated with program efficacy, e.g., social support, self-efficacy, risk for depression, and dyad partner (spouse, relative, friend/neighbor). Cancer survivors and their selected "buddies" who are interested in participating will be directed to a website that describes this study in detail. If interested, they will be asked to complete an online screener requiring information on race/ethnicity, gender, state of residence and eligibility criteria. Once interested participants are assessed for eligibility, consented and enrolled, they will be asked to complete online questionnaires that assess physical activity, dietary intake, health-related quality of life, risk for depression, self-efficacy, social support and barriers to diet resources. Finally, anthropometric measures, blood pressure, physical performance and circulating biomarkers will be collected in participants' homes by visiting study staff (whom the project manager will deploy after checking for a mutually convenient time for the 2-person dyad.

We anticipate enrolling 56 dyads of participants (2 per dyad). Each dyad will be randomized to either receive the intervention for 6 months or be placed on a 6-month waitlist and offered the opportunity to try the online intervention after final assessments are completed.

Assessors of anthropometric, physical function, patient reported outcomes and biospecimens are blinded to arm status

Dyads randomized to the Immediate Intervention Group will receive a "Welcome Box" at completion of the baseline assessment. The Welcome Box will include two of each of the following: 1) Letters describing the project logistics and the important roles of each dyad member); 2) WiFi-enabled Scales (with instructions to weigh daily); 3) Portion Doctor ®Tableware (with instructions to use the portion plates at least once a day); 4) Fitbit® Inspire Activity Monitors (with instructions to share data with the dyad member and the study office); and 5) Instructions on how to create a secured account on the DUET website and instructions for logging on.

Participants assigned to the Delayed Intervention Group will receive a "Welcome Box" which on the outside is identical (and also is comparably weighted with bottled water) to that given to the Immediate Intervention group. This box would include: 1) Letters describing the project logistics and the important roles of each dyad member; and 2) monthly online study newsletters on topics unrelated to diet and exercise, but still of interest to cancer survivors and dyad members such as coping with stress, reducing exposure to radiation, sun safety, etc. to enhance retention and will be offered the opportunity to receive the online intervention after completing final 6-month assessments.

Every week, each dyad member will receive a tailored text message that provides a new fun fact or that encourages them to log-on to the website to access findings of new research and how the results might apply to them. They will be directed to specific pages in the Web-based program and asked to select strategies from a list that they will practice during the upcoming week. Graphic displays of their progress will be provided along with SCT-based feedback. They will be directed to the website to record their behavioral goals for the upcoming week. Tips also will be provided for effective communication to enhance couple efficacy. All usage will be tracked to assess adherence.

Godin Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (4-item survey) - individuals provide the number of minutes of vigorous, moderate and light physical activity per week. The minimum is 0 - theoretically, the maximum is 10,080 (the number of minutes in a week), then they are asked if this level of activity is "typical." The higher the number of minutes of totaled moderate + vigorous activity, the better.

Godin Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (4-item survey) - individuals provide the number of minutes of vigorous, moderate and light physical activity per week. The minimum is 0 - theoretically, the maximum is 10,080 (the number of minutes in a week), then they are asked if this level of activity is "typical." The higher the number of minutes of totaled moderate + vigorous activity, the better.

Godin Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (4-item survey) - individuals provide the number of minutes of vigorous, moderate and light physical activity per week. The minimum is 0 - theoretically, the maximum is 10,080 (the number of minutes in a week), then they are asked if this level of activity is "typical." The higher the number of minutes of totaled moderate + vigorous activity, the better.

Clark et al. survey (20 items). Respondents either affirm or deny that they can resist high fat, high calorie foods under a variety of situations. Individuals who have maximum willpower achieve the top score of 20, whereas those with lesser willpower score lower (the minimum score is zero)

Clark et al. survey (20 items). Respondents either affirm or deny that they can resist high fat, high calorie foods under a variety of situations. Individuals who have maximum willpower achieve the top score of 20, whereas those with lesser willpower score lower (the minimum score is zero)

Clark et al. survey (20 items). Respondents either affirm or deny that they can resist high fat, high calorie foods under a variety of situations. Individuals who have maximum willpower achieve the top score of 20, whereas those with lesser willpower score lower (the minimum score is zero)

Sallis et al. survey (6 items in total). Respondents rate themselves on each item from 0 to 100% on their level of confidence. The higher the total score (maximum of 100%) the better (Minimum 0%).

Sallis et al. survey (6 items in total). Respondents rate themselves on each item from 0 to 100% on their level of confidence. The higher the total score (maximum of 100%) the better (Minimum 0%).

Sallis et al. survey (6 items in total). Respondents rate themselves on each item from 0 to 100% on their level of confidence. The higher the total score (maximum of 100%) the better (Minimum 0%).

Sallis et al. instrument (4 items). Respondents rate the level of support they obtain to follow a healthy, low calorie diet on a 5-point scale ranging from ("never"= 0 to "everyday" = 4. Individuals who have maximum support achieve the top score of 16, whereas those with lesser support score lower (the minimum score is zero)

Sallis et al. instrument (4 items in total) Respondents rate the level of support they obtain to increase their level of physical activity on a 5-point scale ranging from ("never"= 0 to "everyday" = 4. Individuals who have maximum support achieve the top score of 16, whereas those with lesser support score lower (the minimum score is zero)

Sallis et al. instrument (4 items). Respondents rate the level of support they obtain to follow a healthy, low calorie diet on a 5-point scale ranging from ("never"= 0 to "everyday" = 4. Individuals who have maximum support achieve the top score of 16, whereas those with lesser support score lower (the minimum score is zero)

Sallis et al. instrument (4 items in total) Respondents rate the level of support they obtain to increase their level of physical activity on a 5-point scale ranging from ("never"= 0 to "everyday" = 4. Individuals who have maximum support achieve the top score of 16, whereas those with lesser support score lower (the minimum score is zero)

Sallis et al. instrument (4 items). Respondents rate the level of support they obtain to follow a healthy, low calorie diet on a 5-point scale ranging from ("never"= 0 to "everyday" = 4. Individuals who have maximum support achieve the top score of 16, whereas those with lesser support score lower (the minimum score is zero)

Sallis et al. instrument (4 items in total) Respondents rate the level of support they obtain to increase their level of physical activity on a 5-point scale ranging from ("never"= 0 to "everyday" = 4. Individuals who have maximum support achieve the top score of 16, whereas those with lesser support score lower (the minimum score is zero)

(15 items in total) Respondents either affirm or deny common barriers to exercise. Individuals who report more barriers achieve the top score of 21, whereas those with fewer barriers score lower (the minimum score is zero) and that is considered better.

(15 items in total) Respondents either affirm or deny common barriers to exercise. Individuals who report more barriers achieve the top score of 21, whereas those with fewer barriers score lower (the minimum score is zero) and that is considered better.

(15 items in total) Respondents either affirm or deny common barriers to exercise. Individuals who report more barriers achieve the top score of 21, whereas those with fewer barriers score lower (the minimum score is zero) and that is considered better.

7-item scale to assess e-health literacy. Two items were added from eHEALS to understand consumer's interest in using eHealth in general.

7-item scale to assess health and e-health literacy. Two items were added from eHEALS to understand consumer's interest in using eHealth in general.

7-item scale to assess health and e-health literacy. Two items were added from eHEALS to understand consumer's interest in using eHealth in general.

Inclusion Criteria: Adults age 18+ for whom at least one dyad member has been diagnosed and completed curative treatment for localized renal cancer, or loco-regional ovarian, colorectal, endometrial, or female breast cancer. (Loco-regional prostate cancer survivors are also eligible but could be on active surveillance). Diagnosed as overweight or obese (BMI >25 kg/m2. Low vegetable and fruit intake (<2.5 cups day). Low physical activity (<150 minutes per week). English-speaking and writing. Completed at least 5th grade. Uses the internet and owns a mobile phone. Exclusion Criteria: Diagnosed with uncontrolled chronic conditions (i.e., diabetes, blood pressure, CVD, etc) Diagnosed with a health conditions that precludes adherence to an unsupervised weight loss intervention (e.g., pregnancy, end-stage renal disease, etc). Instructed by a physician to limit physical activity AND have paralysis, dementia, blindness, unstable angina, untreated stage 3 hypertension, or recent history of heart attack, congestive heart failure or pulmonary conditions that required oxygen or hospitalization within 6 months. Diagnosed with other cancers (except non-malignant skin cancer), cancer recurrence or metastatic disease. Resides in a skilled nursing or assisted living facility. Resides more than 15 minute driving distance from dyad partner.

Pekmezi DW, Crane TE, Oster RA, Rogers LQ, Hoenemeyer T, Farrell D, Cole WW, Wolin K, Badr H, Demark-Wahnefried W. Rationale and Methods for a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Dyadic, Web-Based, Weight Loss Intervention among Cancer Survivors and Partners: The DUET Study. Nutrients. 2021 Sep 29;13(10):3472. doi: 10.3390/nu13103472. Erratum In: Nutrients. 2022 Jul 29;14(15):