# Physical activity intervention co-created and pilot tested with African American Colorectal Cancer Survivors

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2024 · $158,882

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The long-term objective of this research is to improve physical activity among populations experiencing cancer
disparities. The goal of this training award is to: (1) deliver a multicomponent, culturally-targeted, technology-
delivered, scalable intervention to increase physical activity among African American colorectal cancer
survivors; while advancing the development of a new investigator, with a program of research focused on
increasing physical activity and decreasing cancer disparities. Specific aims are to: (1) co-create, with AA CRC
survivors who engaged in physical activity throughout cancer treatment, culturally targeted narrative videos to
increase physical activity knowledge, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, habits and enjoyment; (2) pilot test
the intervention to assess reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance and; and (3)
measure outcomes at baseline, 3- and 9-months post baseline. Outcomes include: psychosocial constructs
related to physical activity engagement (knowledge, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, enjoyment, habits);
physical activity (average daily steps, weekly minutes of moderate-vigorous intensity activity); symptoms (pain,
fatigue, depression, bowel dysfunction); and inflammation biomarkers that may explain the pathways through
which physical activity impacts cancer outcomes. First, a qualitative exploratory approach will be used to
interview 20 African American colorectal cancer survivors. Together with a subset of interested participants a
multi-component intervention to increase physical activity among African American colorectal cancer survivors
will be created. Next, an additional 72 participants will be recruited to conduct a pilot two-group, randomized
repeated measures study to assess Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance (RE-
AIM) of the intervention. Feasibility of collecting survey and biomarker data at baseline, 3 and 9 months later
will be assessed. These timepoints will facilitate exploration of changes pre- and post-intervention, and to
determine if effects are maintained 6 months after completing the intervention and chemotherapy. Time since
last chemotherapy will be controlled for in all analyses to account for variations in treatment schedules.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10767167
- **Project number:** 5K23MD015719-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Rachel Hirschey
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $158,882
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-05-03 → 2026-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10767167

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10767167, Physical activity intervention co-created and pilot tested with African American Colorectal Cancer Survivors (5K23MD015719-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10767167. Licensed CC0.

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