Self-efficacy, quality of life, and weight loss in overweight/obese endometrial cancer survivors (SUCCEED): A randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objective More patient-centered programming is essential for endometrial cancer (EC) survivors needing to lose weight to reduce cardiovascular disease risk (CVD). The purpose of this study was to improve self-efficacy (SE) and quality of life (QOL) using a lifestyle intervention program designed for weight loss. Methods Overweight and obese early-stage EC survivors, n=75, were randomized into two groups: 1) S urvivors of U terine C an c er E mpowered by E xercise and Healthy D iet (SUCCEED), a six-month lifestyle intervention or 2) a usual care group (UC). Participants completed the Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire (WEL) to assess SE and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—General (FACT-G) to measure QOL, and their body mass index (BMI) was calculated at baseline, 3, 6, and 12months. Mixed, repeated-measures ANCOVA models with baseline covariates were employed using SPSS 20.0. Results Positive effects in every WEL domain, including the total score, were statistically significant in the SUCCEED group versus the UC group. A linear regression model demonstrated that, if BMI decreased by 1 unit, the total WEL score increased by 4.49 points. Significant negative correlations were found in the total WEL score and a change in BMI of R=−0.356 (p=0.006). Between-group differences in the FACT-G were significant from baseline in the fatigue domain at three months (p=.008) and in the physical domain at six months (p=.048). No other significant differences were found. Conclusion Overall, this study shows promise for targeted interventions to help improve SE, thus improving BMI.