Table 1 Research questions and hypotheses for the main study effects exploring the impact of partner (i.e., peer) effects and qualified exercise professional (QEP) support on physical activity among breast cancer survivors
From: Connecting breast cancer survivors for exercise: protocol for a two-arm randomized controlled trial
Type of effects | Explanation | Hypotheses |
|---|---|---|
Interpersonal effects | ||
 Partner effect (P1–P2) | Influence of the peer 1 (P1)'s baseline MVPA on the peer 2 (P2)’s post-intervention MVPA | Positive effect in intervention group, no effect in control group |
 partner effect (P2–P1) | Influence of the P2’s baseline MVPA on the P1’s post-intervention MVPA | Positive effect in intervention group, no effect in control group |
Individual effects | ||
 Actor effect (P1) | Stability of the P1’s MVPA from baseline to post-intervention | Intervention group < control group |
 Actor effect (P2) | Stability of the P2's MVPA from baseline to post-intervention | Intervention group < control group |
 Treatment effect (P1) | Difference between the P1’s mean post-intervention MVPA of the intervention group and of the control group | Intervention group > control group |
 Treatment effect (P2) | Difference between the P2’s mean post-intervention MVPA of the intervention group and of the control group | Intervention group > control group |
Intervention effects | ||
 Adherence | Adherence is established if BCS in the MatchQEP group attend at least 7 out of 10 assigned sessions with the QEP Adherence to peer support in both MatchQEP and Match groups will be established based on the number of times the peers connect (expecting at least once per week for 10 weeks) | Adherence will be established |
 Cost-effectiveness | Direct costs will be compared between the MatchQEP and Match groups and between the MatchQEP group to traditional QEP services in Canada | MatchQEP will be cost-effective |