Phillips Lab
The Phillips Exercise and Health Lab, led by principal investigator Siobhan M. Phillips, PhD, conducts interdisciplinary research focused on understanding the determinants and health outcomes of physical activity participation and the translation of this research into practice. We are particularly interested in the role of physical activity in cancer prevention, control and survivorship. However, we are also interested in exploring ways to get everyone to be more active.
The public health recommendations for physical activity are that all adults engage in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week and 2 days of muscle strengthening activity per week. Unfortunately, over two-thirds of adults do not meet these recommendations. Our goal is to make physical activity fun, accessible, and part of everyone's life. We want to get people to move more and to feel more confident about themselves and their abilities.
There is likely not a "one size fits all" solution to the inactivity epidemic. Therefore, our work focuses on understanding how much physical activity individuals can realistically engage in, the amount of activity needed to produce specific health benefits, and how interventions can be designed to promote lifelong exercise behavior.
Our team designs, tests, implements, and disseminates physical activity interventions. Although much of our work focuses on cancer survivors, we are interested in the general population, special populations, and individuals with other chronic conditions as well. We hope to collaborate with physicians, community organizations, and the public to support sustainable, real-world physical activity programs.
Research Studies
Ongoing Research
Opt2Move
This study aims to develop a mobile health (mHealth) physical activity intervention for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. To identify which intervention tools optimally increase moderate to vigorous physical activity, this study applies Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) methodology. All participants receive a core self-monitoring intervention and are randomized to receive between 0 and 4 of the intervention components. Two components focus on social support (buddy and e-coaching) and two focus on mindfulness (general mindfulness training and mindfulness training during MVPA). The intervention is 12 weeks with a follow-up for an additional 12 weeks. The primary outcome is objectively measured MVPA, with effects of changes of MVPA on symptom burden, sleep quality and duration also assessed. Participant recruitment for this study is a collaboration between Northwestern and Wake Forest University. This study is co-led by David Victorson, PhD in the Department of Medical and Social Sciences.
Fit2ThriveMIND
The primary purpose of this study is to develop and test the feasibility and acceptability of a set of four social-cognitive-theory-guided mHealth physical activity intervention components in breast cancer survivors. The effects of the intervention components on objectively measured physical activity and quality of life indicators are also examined in a 24-week intervention with 24-week follow-up using multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) methodology. Inactive breast cancer survivors receive the core intervention of the Fit2ThriveMind App and Fitbit and randomly assigned to four components (1) general mindfulness training (2) physical activity- specific mindfulness training (3) e-coaching (4) buddy support. The primary outcome is objectively measured MVPA, and also test the effects of the intervention components on objectively measured sleep and patient reported quality of life indicators. Participant recruitment for this study is a collaboration between Northwestern and Wake Forest University. This is co-led by David Victorson, PhD in the Department of Medical and Social Sciences. This study is funded by The National Cancer Institute.
Completed Research
Muscle Strengthening Activity Interests and Preference in Cancer Survivors
This study used a mixed methods approach to examine post-treatment cancer survivors’ barriers, facilitators, interests and preferences for muscle strengthening activities. Findings from this study will inform future intervention development.
Technology Supported Physical Activity Intervention for Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients (Fit2ThriveMB)
The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a technology-supported intervention, Fit2ThriveMB, to promote physical activity in metastatic breast cancer patients. This was a 12 week two-arm randomized control trial (RCT) where participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Fit2ThriveMB (Fit2ThriveMB app + Fitbit + coaching calls) or Healthy Lifestyle Waitlist Education Control Group (Cancer.net app + phone calls control group). The Fit2ThriveMB program was primarily focused on increasing steps and was designed with progressions tailored to symptom burden and progress toward physical activity goals so that individuals of varying abilities were able to exercise safely. Waitlist participants obtained access to the Fit2ThriveMB app and received a Fitbit at the end of 12 weeks. This study was funded by the National Cancer Institute.
Impact of Chemotherapy on Activity Patterns in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy (IMPACT Study)
This was a prospective observational study that used three 10-day ecological momentary assessment “bursts” of data collection at the beginning, middle, and end of chemotherapy to examine potential clinical (e.g. treatment dosage, treatment adherence), behavioral (e.g. self-efficacy, motivation) and psychosocial (e.g. fatigue, pain) determinants and outcomes of activity and sleep pattern changes during chemotherapy for breast cancer. This study was supported by the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation.
Designing to optimize dissemination and implementation of a physical activity intervention in breast cancer survivors (Fit2Thrive)
The primary purpose of this study was to develop and test the feasibility and acceptability of a set of five social-cognitive theory-guided mHealth physical activity intervention components in breast cancer survivors using a patient-centered approach. The effects of the intervention components on objectively measured physical activity and quality of life indicators were also examined in a 12-week intervention using the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) methodology whereby each component was turned “on” or “off” in half of the sample. This study was funded by The National Cancer Institute.
Multi-site Adaptive Trial of a Technology-Based, EHR-Integrated Physical Activity Intervention in Breast and Endometrial Cancer Survivors (MyActivity)
The purpose of this study was to develop an effective and scalable physical activity intervention for breast and endometrial cancer survivors that moved from a one-size-fits-all approach to a dynamic, tailored approach for exercise promotion. This was a 6-month study with a 6-month follow-up. All women received a Fitbit plus integration of their Fitbit data into their electronic health record (EHR) and could have received additional components as needed. This study was a collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was funded by the National Cancer Institute.
Education & Training Opportunities
If you are interested in joining the lab or working on a specific physical activity-related research project, please visit the Exercise Health Lab website, or contact Siobhan Phillips at smphillips@northwestern.edu. Students can conduct research for course credit or independent study. Potential opportunities as a member of the lab include: conducting exercise testing, study management, data analyses, leading exercise sessions and helping to write manuscripts and grants. Experiences will vary depending on current projects and research interests.
Publications
To view a listing of publications, please visit Siobhan Phillips’ faculty profile.
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