RCT·oncology, clinical nutrition, nutrition, dietetics, public health·PMC10000640
Results of DUET: A Web-Based Weight Loss Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial among Cancer Survivors and Their Chosen Partners
Cancers · 11 authors, 8 centres
AI SUMMARY
FIDELITY 100%
POPULATIONCancer survivors with obesity-related cancers and their chosen partners, both with BMI ≥25 kg/m², insufficient activity, and suboptimal diets.
INTERVENTION6-month web-based DUET program promoting weight loss, diet improvement, and increased physical activity, incorporating technology for monitoring and tailored guidance.
COMPARISONWaitlist control group.
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This randomized controlled feasibility trial tested a 6-month web-based diet and exercise intervention (DUET) for weight loss in 56 cancer survivor-partner dyads. The intervention group lost significantly more weight than the waitlist control, with dyads averaging a loss of -2.8 kg versus -1.1 kg, and also showed reductions in caloric intake. The primary limitation is the small sample size, which may limit statistical power and generalizability, especially given the low enrollment rate and predominance of breast cancer survivors.
Full summary
2,051 CHARS
BACKGROUND
Obesity is a risk factor for several cancers and is linked to poorer prognosis in survivors, necessitating scalable weight management interventions. Social support is integral to lifestyle change, leading to the development of DUET, a web-based, multi-behavior intervention for cancer survivor-partner dyads. Methods: DUET was a single-blinded RCT comparing a 6-month web-based intervention (n=56 dyads) to a waitlist control (n=56 dyads). Eligible dyads included survivors of obesity-related cancers and a chosen partner, both with overweight/obesity and unhealthy lifestyles. The intervention was grounded in Social Cognitive Theory and provided tailored guidance, self-monitoring via Fitbits and scales, and weekly interactive sessions. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 3, and 6 months using mixed linear models. Key Results: The trial met feasibility endpoints with high retention (89% waitlist, 100% intervention) and no serious intervention-related adverse events. The primary outcome, dyad weight loss, was significantly greater in the intervention arm (-2.8 kg) compared to the waitlist arm (-1.1 kg; time-by-arm interaction p=0.033). Caloric intake decreased significantly in intervention survivors versus controls (p=0.027). Evidence of benefit was also observed for physical performance (e.g., sit-and-reach) and blood glucose, with significant dyadic terms across outcomes suggesting the partner-based approach contributed to improvements. Limitations: The study was a feasibility trial with a modest sample size, potentially limiting statistical power. The enrollment rate was low (5.5%), and the sample was predominantly breast cancer survivors, which may affect generalizability. Long-term maintenance of changes was not assessed. Implications: DUET demonstrates the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a scalable, web-based, dyadic intervention for promoting weight loss and health behavior change in cancer survivors. Larger, longer-duration studies are needed to confirm these findings and assess sustained impact.
PICO
PPOPULATION
Cancer survivors with obesity-related cancers and their chosen partners, both with BMI ≥25 kg/m², insufficient activity, and suboptimal diets.
IINTERVENTION
6-month web-based DUET program promoting weight loss, diet improvement, and increased physical activity, incorporating technology for monitoring and tailored guidance.
OOUTCOME
Primary outcome: change in body weight. Secondary outcomes included waist circumference, caloric intake, physical activity, physical performance, circulating biomarkers (e.g., glucose, CRP), and patient-reported outcomes.
