"My Body, My Rhythm, My Voice": a community dance pilot intervention engaging breast cancer survivors in physical activity in a middle-income country.

BACKGROUND: Interventions to promote physical activity among women breast cancer survivors (BCS) in low- to middle-income countries are limited. We assessed the acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a theory-driven, group-based dance intervention for BCS delivered in Bogotá, Colombia. METHODS: We conducted a quasi-experimental study employing a mixed-methods approach to assess the 8-week, 3 times/week group dance intervention. The effect of the intervention on participants' physical activity levels (measured by accelerometry), motivation to engage in physical activity, and quality of life were evaluated using generalized estimating equation analysis. The qualitative method included semi-structured interviews thematically analyzed to evaluate program acceptability. RESULTS: Sixty-four BCS were allocated to the intervention (n = 31) or the control groups (n = 33). In the intervention arm, 84% attended ≥ 60% of sessions. We found increases on average minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day (intervention: +8.99 vs control: -3.7 min), and in ratings of motivation (intervention change score = 0.45, vs. control change score= -0.05). BCS reported improvements in perceived behavioral capabilities to be active, captured through the interviews. CONCLUSIONS: The high attendance, behavioral changes, and successful delivery indicate the potential effectiveness, feasibility, and scalability of the intervention for BCS in Colombia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov NCT05252780, registered on Dec 7th, 2021-retrospectively registered unique protocol ID: P20CA217199-9492018.

Engaging citizen scientists to build healthy park environments in Colombia.

Colombia's Recreovía program offers community-based free physical activity (PA) classes in parks. We evaluated built and social environmental factors influencing Recreovía local park environments, and facilitated a consensus-building and advocacy process among community members, policymakers and academic researchers aimed at improving uptake and impact of the Recreovía program. We used a mixed-methods approach, with individual and contextual PA measurements and a resident-enabled participatory approach (the Our Voice citizen science engagement model). Recreovía participants were likely to be women meeting PA recommendations, and highly satisfied with the Recreovía classes. Reported facilitators of the Recreovía included its role in enhancing social and individual well-being through PA classes. Reported barriers to usage were related to park maintenance, cleanliness and safety. The Our Voice process elicited community reflection, empowerment, advocacy and action. Our Voice facilitated the interplay among stakeholders and community members to optimize the Recreovía program as a facilitator of active living, and to make park environments more welcoming.