Table 2 Intervention components and the behaviour change techniques

Active 10 App

Introducing the app into participants’ environment

12.5

The App is hosted by Public Health England

9.1

Introduction: “Brisk walking is…” “Every minute counts” “Aim for 10 min or more a day”

4.1

I’m doing Active 10 because…

N/A

Set your targets (1, 2, or 3 Active 10s a day)

1.1

Walking tracker (minutes of walking and minutes of brisk walking)

2.2

Rewards

10.3, 10.6

Links to useful websites (e.g. NHS)

Link to a discussion group for the app

Articles on starting small and building up, physical and mental health benefits, disabilities, how much physical activity to do, and a link to a running app

Ability to set reminders

Tips: social distancing, set a reminder, keep track (use app to see how you’re doing), plan ahead (the day before or in the morning).

N/A

Leaflet and accompanying letter from clinical team

Clinical team recommendation to read and use the information provided and to download Active 10

6.3, 9.1

Branding: Yorkshire Cancer Research, UCL, University of Leeds, University of Sheffield, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals

9.1

Physical activity improves side effects of cancer treatment, recovery and risk of recurrence, mood and confidence. Physical activity reduces risks of other health problems.

5.1, 5.6

Quotes from cancer patients: used physical activity to cope with fatigue, chose walking to try to meet guidelines

6.3

People who have or have had cancer recommended to try to meet same physical activity guidelines as other adults. Brisk walking 2-3 times every day will meet the activity guidelines (150 min), the more the better.

9.1

Recommends brisk walking. This should make you breathe a bit faster…

4.1

Recommends start small then build up

N/A

Information on downloading Active 10

N/A

Recommends planning

N/A

Recommends walking at the same time or in the same situation

8.1, 8.3

Recommends tracking behaviour using the walking planners and Active 10

N/A

Links to resources about the health benefits of PA

5.1, 5.6

Links to resources to support walking

6.3

Walking planner

Adding planner to people’s environment

12.5

Promotes habit formation

8.1, 8.3

How many Active 10s are you aiming for

1.1

Plan: when, where, for

1.4, 7.1

Did you complete plans?

2.3

Did you meet your target?

2.3

How did you feel after you walked briskly?

5.4

Reminder not to worry if miss a day and to adjust goals as required (reduce if finding it hard and increase if meeting goals and feel able).

N/A

Intervention:

Phone/video call 1

Introduce self as working with clinical team at the hospital

9.1

Ask participants how their cancer and treatment has impacted their lifestyle and activity levels

N/A

Discuss physical and mental health benefits of physical activity

5.1, 5.6

Discuss motivations to increase activity

9.2

Discuss concerns about increasing activity

9.2

Help participant to work out ways to overcome concerns about brisk walking, provide information as appropriate

1.2

Discuss why recommending brisk walking, including cancer patients have recommended this

6.3

Describe brisk walking

4.1

Provide information on government guidelines (150 min MVPA) as well as WHO Every Move Counts.

9.1

Highlight building up over time

N/A

Discuss how confident they are and how they can increase their confidence

1.2

Suggest trying it to see if that increases their confidence

4.4

If needed tell them that it is possible for them to do this and others have been able to

15.1

Promote habit formation for initiating a walk

8.1, 8.3

Make an action plan (when, what, how long)

1.4

Promote self-reward during and/or after walking

10.7, 10.9

Promote non-specific self-reward during and/or after walking

10.3, 10.6

Promote using the app to track activity

2.2

Promote specific cues

7.1

Promote reminders

7.1

Set a target number of Active 10s

1.1

Promote asking friends to support, by encouraging and helping to remember to walk

3.2, 3.3

Promote using the walking planner to track behaviour

2.3

Encourage participants to use information provided to overcome their concerns about exercising

13.2

Intervention:

Phone/video call 2

Remind them of their target

1.5

Ask how they are getting on with their target

1.6

Ask if they have or, if they want to change their target

1.5

Ask participants what is preventing them from walking and what would help them to start (if relevant)

1.2

Repeat any of the points from call 1 as appropriate

As above as relevant