Increasing physical activity intentions and physical activity behaviour using a media-based intervention informed by protection motivation theory in women at an increased risk of developing breast cancer

摘要

Purpose: Physical activity (PA) has been shown to decrease breast cancer risk. Usingudprotection motivation theory (PMT), this study explored whether a media-basedudintervention that presented factual breast cancer and PA information could motivate atriskudwomen to increase their PA levels. Method: Inactive women (N= 60) were randomlyudassigned to one of three groups: (1) PMT intervention, (2) attention control, or (3) noncontactudcontrol group. The PMT intervention watched a DVD containing information onudPA and breast cancer risk based on PMT constructs (i.e., perceived severity [PS],udperceived vulnerability [PV], response efficacy [RE], and self-efficacy [SE]), while theudattention control group watched a DVD that contained general diet and cancerudinformation. PMT constructs and PA intentions were measured pre- and post-DVD, andudPA was measured subjectively and objectively pre- and post-DVD and at 4-week followup.udResults: Participants in the PMT intervention group showed significantudimprovements in coping appraisal constructs after watching the DVD (i.e., RE and SE).udRE was also found to significantly predict PA intention scores pre-DVD and post-DVD.udNo significant changes were found for PA behaviour. Conclusions: The PMT-based PAudintervention successfully increased participants’ belief that PA decreases breast cancerudrisk and that they can perform the required amount of PA to decrease their risk. Furtherudresearch is needed on the threat appraisal component of PMT and on the inclusion ofudobjective measures of PA in intervention research.