Efficacy of the Survivor Health and Resilience Education (SHARE) program to improve bone health behaviors among adolescent survivors of childhood cancer

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of the Survivor Health and Resilience Education Program intervention-a manualized, behavioral intervention focusing on bone health behaviors among adolescent survivors of childhood cancer. Methods: Participants were 75 teens aged 11-21 years, one or more years post-treatment, and currently cancer-free. Teens were randomized to a group-based intervention focusing on bone health or a wait-list control. Bone health behaviors were assessed at baseline and 1-month post-intervention. Results: Controlling for baseline outcome measures and theoretical predictors, milk consumption frequency (p=0.03), past month calcium supplementation (p<0.001), days in the past month with calcium supplementation (p<0.001), and dietary calcium intake (p=0.04) were significantly greater at 1-month follow-up among intervention participants compared with control participants. Conclusions: The intervention had a significant short-term impact on self-reported bone health behaviors among adolescent survivors of childhood cancer. Research examining long-term intervention effectiveness is warranted. © 2011 The Society of Behavioral Medicine.