Feasibility and acceptability of a stress-management behavioral weight loss intervention for Black breast cancer survivors

This single-arm proof-of-concept study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of ‘Survivors RESET’, a stress management-enhanced behavioral weight loss intervention for Black female breast cancer survivors with obesity and high perceived stress. Participants received a 16-session, 4-month intervention based on the core curriculum of the Diabetes Prevention Program, enhanced with stress management and cancer-relevant content. Feasibility benchmarks were ≥ 45% enrollment, ≥ 75% retention, and ≥ 70% adherence; acceptability was ≥ 80% satisfaction. Exploratory weight loss analyses were performed. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests assessed changes from baseline to 4 months. Twenty women (90.9% of eligible individuals) enrolled (mean age: 57.9 ± 7.7 years; BMI: 37.10 ± 6.40 kg/m2). All participants (100%) completed baseline and 4-month assessments, and 95% attended ≥ 70% of sessions, supporting the feasibility of the study. Regarding acceptability, 75% were “somewhat satisfied” or “very satisfied,” and 95% would recommend the program. Significant reductions were observed in weight (− 2.4 ± 3.4 kg, p = 0.006), BMI (− 0.9 ± 1.2 kg/m2, p = 0.006), and perceived stress score (− 6.9 ± 8.9, p = 0.003). The intervention was feasible and generally well-accepted, though acceptability ratings fell slightly below our high benchmark. It also showed promise for weight loss, supporting the need for a full-scale trial in Black female breast cancer survivors. Integrating stress management into a culturally tailored behavioral weight loss intervention may enhance outcomes for Black breast cancer survivors. These findings support the need for a full-scale randomized controlled trial to evaluate its effectiveness and potential impact on clinical practice.