Lifestyle modification program (IM Healthy) for cancer survivors - Implementation of a reimbursable telehealth group program during the COVID-19 pandemic

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by James

Reimbursable telehealth lifestyle change program IM Healthy was designed and pilot-tested to support cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program targeted increased physical activity, improved nutrition, and stress management through structured group sessions delivered three days per week, with participants choosing their attendance day. Data came from retrospective chart review (Sept 2021–Aug 2022) and patient feedback collected about 6 months later.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Introduction

Integrative oncology and support groups

Telehealth-based group support

Pandemic-related needs

IMC program structure

Supportive Care in Cancer (2025) 33:157 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-025-09162-w](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-025-09162-w) Lifestyle modification program (IM Healthy) for cancer survivors: Implementation of a reimbursable telehealth group program during the COVID‑19 pandemic Aimee J. Christie1 · Catherine Powers1 · Lorenzo Cohen1 · Andrew Cusimano1 · Richard Wagner1 · Monica Nelson1 · Santhosshi Narayanan1 · Gabriel Lopez1 Received: 6 June 2024 / Accepted: 8 January 2025 / Published online: 6 February 2025 © The Author(s) 2025 Abstract Purpose We designed and pilot-tested a reimbursable lifestyle change program delivered via telehealth that was initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The program (IM Healthy) focused on increasing physical activity, improving nutrition, and facilitating stress management and healthy behavior change. Retrospective chart review was used to collect data on IM Healthy participants from the period of Sept 2021 to Aug 2022. The program was offered three days each week with the same topic presented each day. Patients chose which day they attended. Meetings were primarily led by a health psychologist, with intermittent weeks led by a dietitian or physical therapist. Chart review provided demographics, group attendance, ESAS-FS, PROMIS10, weight, and BMI. Patient feedback regarding the telehealth program was collected approximately 6 months following the data collection period. Results Patients (N = 50) mostly women (90%) with mean 57.9 years old (SD = 11.2) attended at least one group with an average of 13.1 (SD = 10.8; range = 1–45) attended sessions. Frequency of individual psychology sessions decreased after starting IM Healthy (z = − 2.17, p = 0.03). Overall, patients provided positive feedback including feelings of connectedness and physical and psychological benefit. Patients endorsed moderate to high perceived success in physical activity, nutrition, and stress management. Conclusions We demonstrate that a reimbursable lifestyle change group program can be tailored to telehealth and is wellreceived and beneficial to cancer survivors. Keywords Cancer survivors · Diet · Exercise · Stress management · Integrative oncology · Telehealth | Aimee J. Christie and Catherine Powers have equal contribution as first authors. | | --- | | Santhosshi Narayanan and Gabriel Lopez have equal contribution as senior authors. | * Aimee J. Christie [ajchristie@mdanderson.org](ajchristie@mdanderson.org) 1 Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 1414, Houston, TX 77030, USA Introduction Integrative oncology focuses on physical, social, and mind–body aspects of patients’ health, and aims to optimize health, quality of life, and clinical outcomes across the cancer-care continuum [1] . Support groups are a key component within integrative oncology to help deliver education and lifestyle counseling to cancer patients and survivors. Supportive-expressive group therapy ameliorates and prevents new onset depressive disorders, reduces hopelessness and helplessness, reduces trauma symptoms, and improves social functioning in patients with metastatic breast cancer [2] . Additionally, individuals in supportive-expressive groups giving higher levels of support to others reframed their own problems in a positive light [3] . Research on breast cancer patients has shown that even after treatment is complete, survivors endorse significant fear of cancer recurrence and report numerous unmet needs [4] . Patients want to receive psychological support [5, 6] as well as information on healthy lifestyle (e.g., nutrition) [7, 8] . Evidence suggests that psychological and lifestyle support, such as increasing exercise and improving diet, can improve multiple cancer outcomes [9–13] . Telehealth or internet-based groups have also been shown to benefit cancer survivors. A study of a computer-medi

FAQs

What does the IM Healthy program aim to improve for cancer survivors?

IM Healthy focuses on increasing physical activity, improving nutrition, and facilitating stress management and healthy behavior change.

How was the IM Healthy telehealth group program delivered?

The program ran three days each week, with the same topic presented each day. Patients chose which day to attend, and sessions were primarily led by a health psychologist.

What were the main outcomes reported for participants?

Among 50 participants, individual psychology session frequency decreased after starting IM Healthy, and patients reported positive feedback including connectedness and physical and psychological benefits, with moderate to high perceived success across key domains.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by James