scholarly journals eHealth-based intervention to increase physical activity levels in people with cancer: protocol of a feasibility trial in an Irish acute hospital setting

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e024999
Author(s):  
Ciarán Haberlin ◽  
Julie Broderick ◽  
Emer M Guinan ◽  
Catherine Darker ◽  
Juliette Hussey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Curative Intent ◽  
Report Quality ◽  
Ethical Approval

IntroductionExercise and physical activity (PA) are established and effective treatment options for various side effects of cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The advent of eHealth brings new opportunities to influence healthy behaviours, using interactive and novel approaches. Influencing PA behaviours in people with cancer presents a potential application of this. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an intervention, using eHealth, for increasing PA in cancer survivors.Methods and analysisThis will be a single-arm pre–post feasibility study. We aim to recruit a heterogeneous sample of 60 participants from cancer clinics in St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Eligibility criteria will include patients who have completed chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with curative intent between 3 and 36 months prior to enrolment. The intervention will include the delivery of a 12-week PA programme. The eHealth aspect of the intervention will involve the provision of a Fitbit activity tracker, which will be used in conjunction with specific PA goals remotely prescribed and monitored by a physiotherapist. Primary outcomes will be feasibility measures related to the study (recruitment capability, data collection procedures, adherence and compliance, evaluation of the resources to implement the study and evaluation of participant responses to the intervention). Secondary measures will evaluate preliminary efficacy of the intervention in terms of clinical outcomes (body composition, PA (objective and self-report), quality of life and aerobic capacity). Primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline (as appropriate), at conclusion of the intervention and at a 6-month follow-up.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been granted by the St. James’s Hospital/AMNCH Joint Ethics Committee (2016/05/02). Results from this study will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals, as well as for presentation and dissemination at conferences in the field of oncology and survivorship.Trial registrationNCT03036436; Pre-results.

scholarly journals Mode of Commuting to School and Its Association with Physical Activity and Sedentary Habits in Young Ecuadorian Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaira Barranco-Ruiz ◽  
Alfredo Guevara-Paz ◽  
Robinson Ramírez-Vélez ◽  
Palma Chillón ◽  
Emilio Villa-González
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Central Region ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Daily Physical Activity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Older Adolescents ◽  
Commuting Distance

Active commuting to and from school (ACS) could help to increase daily physical activity levels in youth; however, this association remains unknown in Ecuadorian youth. Thus, the aims of this study were (1) to determine the patterns of commuting to and from school and (2) to analyze the associations between ACS, physical activity (PA), and sedentary habits in Ecuadorian youth. A total of 732 students (65.3% males), aged 10–18 years (children = 246, young adolescents = 310, older adolescents = 162) from the central region of Ecuador participated in this study. A self-report questionnaire, including the usual mode and frequency of commuting, distance from home to school (PACO-Questionnaire), and PA and sedentary habits (YAP-Questionnaire), was used. Most of the sample lived ≤2 km from school; however, they were mainly passive commuters (96%). The most common mode of commuting was by car (to school = 43.4%, from school = 31.6%; p < 0.001). Children presented significantly higher scores (0–4) in PA outside school and total PA compared with older adolescents (2.20 ± 0.97 vs. 1.97 ± 0.96; p = 0.013 and 2.30 ± 0.76 vs. 2.09 ± 0.74, p = 0.019, respectively), as well as the lowest scores in sedentary habits (1.51 ± 0.65, p < 0.001). PA at school and total PA were positively associated with ACS (OR 3.137; 95% CI, 1.918 to 5.131; p < 0.001, and OR 2.543; 95% CI, 1.428 to 4.527; p = 0.002, respectively). In conclusion, passive modes of transportation were the most frequently used to commute to and from school in young Ecuadorians. PA at school and total PA were positively associated with ACS. Thus, interventions at school setting could be an opportunity to improve PA levels and additionally ACS in youth from the central region of Ecuador.

scholarly journals Association Between Physical Activity Levels in the Hospital Setting and Hospital-Acquired Functional Decline in Elderly Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. e1920185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Plamena Tasheva ◽  
Peter Vollenweider ◽  
Vanessa Kraege ◽  
Guillaume Roulet ◽  
Olivier Lamy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Objective assessment of physical activity during chemotherapy for breast cancer.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. TPS6626-TPS6626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle E. Melisko ◽  
Edward Kenji Hadeler ◽  
Sandahl H Nelson ◽  
Audrey Lunde ◽  
Irene Acerbi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Anxiety Depression

TPS6626 Background: Exercise can alleviate side effects of chemotherapy, improve quality of life (QOL), and positively impact disease specific and overall survival. Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA), many patients’ activity levels decrease during chemotherapy. Wearable devices, such as the Fitbit, can provide insight into patterns of activity, and help encourage behavior change. The aims of this study are: 1) determine the feasibility/acceptability of using a Fitbit to measure PA and sleep throughout chemotherapy for breast cancer; 2) describe patterns of PA, sedentary time, and sleep during chemotherapy; 3) explore associations of activity and sleep with QOL. Methods: Non-metastatic breast cancer patients from UCSF and UCSD will be enrolled prior to starting chemotherapy. Eligibility criteria include ability to speak/read English, walk unassisted, and access to internet or Fitbit compatible smart phone. Patients sign informed consent, receive a Fitbit Charge HR and guidance on how to use the device. Patients are instructed to wear the Fitbit throughout their adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 6 months post therapy and to sync the Fitbit at least weekly. Patients complete surveys at start, midpoint, end, and 6 months post chemotherapy. Questionnaires include PROMIS anxiety, depression, physical function, fatigue, cognitive function, social roles, comfort with technology and usefulness of the Fitbit. Fitabase database collects minute level activity, sleep, and heart rate. To assess feasibility, we will evaluate if a participant wears FitBit for at least 10 hour per day for ≥ 80% of the days during chemotherapy. We will use mixed effects regression models to assess patterns of PA and associations between activity and QOL. All models will include activity time and Fitbit wear time and will control for the potential confounding effects of age and other demographic or clinical variables. As of February 6 2017, 48 out of a planned 80 patients are enrolled. Acknowledgment: Athena Breast Health Network investigators and patients; support at UCSD by NCI (U54 CA155435-01) and by gift from Carol Vassiliadis and family; NCI grant K07CA181323 to SH; UCSF M Zion Health Fund Award, GBCTB unrestricted funding and TriValley SOCKS to MM. Clinical trial information: NCT03041545.

scholarly journals Effects of peer influence on dietary intake and physical activity in schoolchildren

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara Finnerty ◽  
Sue Reeves ◽  
Jaqueline Dabinett ◽  
Yvonne M Jeanes ◽  
Claus Vögele
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Peer Influence ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the dietary intake and physical activity of boys and girls aged 9–13 years, and the influence of peers on these behaviours.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingNine primary and secondary schools in south-west London.SubjectsA total of 315 children wore sealed pedometers, provided self-report measures of dietary intake and answered a questionnaire relating to peer influence. Anthropometric measures of height and weight were also obtained.ResultsObese children had the lowest reported energy intakes and the lowest step counts per day. Boys took significantly more steps per day than girls, however girls were closer to achieving their recommended cut-offs for physical activity. Girls had lower energy intakes per day and lower BMI Z-scores than boys, however both genders, across all age groups, had higher than recommended intakes of saturated fat. There were significant associations between peer influence and physical activity levels but not between peer influence and dietary intake.ConclusionsLow energy intake and physical activity levels but high saturated fat intakes among boys and girls across all age groups highlight the importance of promoting both physical activity and healthy food choices. The finding that peers have a significant effect on physical activity levels but not on dietary intake offers an important approach for the design of health promotion interventions and obesity prevention programmes. Such designs may be particularly beneficial for obese youth, since the low physical activity levels found could be a major contributing factor to the maintenance of the condition.

scholarly journals The development and evaluation of a novel computer program to assess previous-day dietary and physical activity behaviours in school children: The Synchronised Nutrition and Activity ProgramTM (SNAPTM)

2008 ◽  
Vol 99 (6) ◽  
pp. 1266-1274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen J. Moore ◽  
Louisa J. Ells ◽  
Sally A. McLure ◽  
Sean Crooks ◽  
David Cumbor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Substantial Contribution ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Food Groups

Self-report recall questionnaires used to measure physical activity and dietary intake in children can be labour intensive and monotonous and tend to focus on either dietary intake or physical activity. The web-based software, Synchronised Nutrition and Activity ProgramTM (SNAPTM), was developed to produce a novel, simple, quick and engaging method of assessing energy balance-related behaviours at a population level, combining principles from new and existing 24 h recall methodologies, set within a user-friendly interface. Dietary intake was measured using counts for twenty-one food groups and physical activity levels were measured in min of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). A combination of the mean difference between methods, type II regression and non-parametric limits of agreement techniques were used to examine the accuracy and precision of SNAPTM. Method comparison analyses demonstrated a good agreement for both dietary intake and physical activity behaviours. For dietary variables, accuracy of SNAPTM (mean difference) was within ± 1 count for the majority of food groups. The proportion of the sample with between-method agreement within ± 1 count ranged from 0·40 to 0·99. For min of MVPA, there was no substantial fixed or proportional bias, and a mean difference between methods (SNAPTM – accelerometry) of − 9 min. SNAPTM provides a quick, accurate, low-burden, cost-effective and engaging method of assessing energy balance behaviours at a population level. Tools such as SNAPTM, which exploit the popularity, privacy and engagement of the computer interface, and linkages with other datasets, could make a substantial contribution to future public health monitoring and research.

scholarly journals Individual and Co-occurring SNAP Risk Factors

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 298-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia M. Balto ◽  
Ipek Ensari ◽  
Elizabeth A. Hubbard ◽  
Naiman Khan ◽  
Jennifer L. Barnes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Poor Diet ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Insufficient Physical Activity

Background: Smoking, poor nutrition, excess alcohol consumption, and insufficient physical activity underlie most preventable causes of morbidity in the general population and may be associated with comorbidities and health outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the frequency of co-occurrence of these risk factors in people with MS remains unclear. Methods: Sixty-nine individuals with MS completed self-report measures of smoking status, nutrition, alcohol use, physical activity levels, and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. The data were analyzed using t tests and χ2 analyses. Results: Poor diet was the most common risk factor, with 85.5% of the sample not meeting dietary guidelines. Of participants with two risk factors, 90.3% were not meeting dietary and physical activity guidelines. Seventy-three percent of women were not meeting physical activity guidelines, compared with 38% of men (χ2 = 7.5, P &lt; .01). There were also differential rates by sex of the most commonly co-occurring risk factors: 65% of women reported the co-occurrence of insufficient physical activity and poor diet, compared with 38% of men (χ2 = 4.2, P = .05). Conclusions: These results indicate that 85.5% of the sample was not meeting nutrition guidelines, 90.3% of participants with two risk factors reported the co-occurrence of poor diet and insufficient levels of physical activity, and physical activity levels and the total number of risk factors varied across sex.

scholarly journals Effective Strategies for Promoting Physical Activity through the Use of Digital Media among School-Age Children: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 11270
Author(s):  
Giovanni Angelo Navarra ◽  
Ewan Thomas ◽  
Antonino Scardina ◽  
Mohammad Izadi ◽  
Daniele Zangla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
School Age ◽  
Sedentary Behaviors ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Digital media are widespread among school-age children, and their incorrect use may lead to an increase in sedentary levels and the consequences associated with it. There are still few studies that have investigated whether physical activity levels could be increased through their use. The aim of this study was to systematically review the scientific literature in order to identify whether digital strategies and technologies are capable of increasing the level of physical activity. A literature search was performed using the following databases: Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The main outcomes evaluated the increase in physical activity levels, the number of steps, and the reduction of sedentary behaviors. Two trained researchers independently assessed eligible studies against eligibility criteria, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. The Downs and Black checklist was used to assess the quality of the included studies. A total of 15 studies (1122 children) were included in this systematic review, with a mean age of 8.45 ± 0.70 years. Quality assessment of the studies observed a “moderate quality” of the included records. The results of this systematic review highlight that digital media can be applied as a way to improve the levels of physical activity in children to contrast a sedentary lifestyle. The main limitations of the study are the heterogeneity within the exercise protocols and the paucity of studies involving school-age children. More research is needed to confirm our findings also due to continuing technological progress.

scholarly journals Preschool environment and preschool teacher’s physical activity and their association with children’s activity levels at preschool

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chu Chen ◽  
Viktor H. Ahlqvist ◽  
Pontus Henriksson ◽  
Cecilia Magnusson ◽  
Daniel Berglind
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Policy Evaluation ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
Preschool Teachers ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Child Age

Abstract Background The preschool environment presents an ideal opportunity to promote early development of healthy physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) habits in young children. However, less is known about how environmental and structural characteristics of preschools are associated with preschool children’s objectively assessed levels of PA and ST during preschool hours. The aim of the current study was to investigate to what extent preschool playground size, formalized PA policies, time spent outdoors and preschool teacher’s levels of PA were associated with children’s objectively assessed levels of PA and ST during preschool hours. Methods In total, 369 children and 84 preschool teachers from 27 preschools in Södermalm municipally, Stockholm Sweden wore an Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer during 7 consecutive days. Preschool environmental and structural characteristics were measured via the Environment and Policy Evaluation Self-Report (EPAO-SR). Instrument and time in- and outdoors was recorded by preschool teachers on all days during the PA measurements. Weight and height of participating children were measured via validated scales and parents filled out a questionnaire on demographical and descriptive variables. Analyses were adjusted for age of the child, sex and BMI. Results The mean child age was 4.7 years (SD 0.8) and 45% were girls. We found that children were more active in preschools with a formalized PA policy, compared to schools without such a policy, but not less sedentary. The association between policy and activity seemed to be more pronounced when accounting for other environmental factors. Preschool teachers light PA (LPA) (ß=0.25, P=0.004) and steps (ß=0.52, P<0.001) were associated with children’s LPA and steps while the preschool playground size showed no association with PA in children. Conclusion The current study showed that preschool structural characteristics such as formalized PA policies and more time spent outdoors were positively associated with children’s PA. These findings suggest that formalized PA policies and time outdoors may be of importance for promoting children’s PA during preschool hours.

scholarly journals Association of high amounts of physical activity with mortality risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (20) ◽  
pp. 1195-1201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Blond ◽  
Cecilie Fau Brinkløv ◽  
Mathias Ried-Larsen ◽  
Alessio Crippa ◽  
Anders Grøntved
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Target Range ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Recommended Level

ObjectivesTo systematically review and analyse studies of high amounts of physical activity and mortality risk in the general population.Eligibility criteriaInclusion criteria related to follow-up (minimum 2 years), outcome (mortality from all causes, cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD) or coronary heart disease), exposure (eg, a category of >1000 metabolic equivalent of task (MET) min/week), study design (prospective cohort, nested case control or case-cohort) and reports of cases and person years of exposure categories.Information sourcesSystematic searches were conducted in Embase and Pubmed from database inception to 2 March 2019.Risk of biasThe quality of the studies was assessed with the Newcastle–Ottawa scale.Included studiesFrom 31 368 studies identified, 48 were included. Two authors independently extracted outcome estimates and assessed study quality.Synthesis of resultsWe estimated hazard ratios (HRs) using random effect restricted cubic spline dose–response meta-analyses. Compared with the recommended level of physical activity (750 MET min/week), mortality risk was lower at physical activity levels exceeding the recommendations, at least until 5000 MET min/week for all cause mortality (HR=0.86, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.94) and for CVD mortality (HR=0.73, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.95).Strengths and limitations of evidenceThe strengths of this study include the detailed dose–response analyses, inclusion of 48 studies and examination of sources of heterogeneity. The limitations include the observational nature of the included studies and the inaccurate estimations of amount of physical activity.InterpretationCompared with the recommended level, mortality risk was lower at physical activity levels well above the recommended target range. Further, there was no threshold beyond which lifespan was compromised.RegistrationPROSPERO CRD42017055727.

Association of physical activity with arterial stiffness among Black adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 1358863X2110327
Author(s):  
Shabatun J Islam ◽  
Nour Beydoun ◽  
Anurag Mehta ◽  
Jeong Hwan Kim ◽  
Yi-An Ko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Arterial Stiffness ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Black Adults ◽  
Home Life ◽  
Premature Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Independent Cohort

Arterial stiffness is a precursor for the development of hypertension and premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). Physical activity has been associated with lower arterial stiffness among largely White populations, but the types of activity required and whether these findings apply to Black adults remain unknown. We examined whether physical activity levels were associated with arterial stiffness among Black adults in two independent cohorts. In the Morehouse-Emory Cardiovascular (MECA) Center for Health Equity, 378 Black adults (age 52.8 ± 10.3, 39.7% male) without known CVD living in Atlanta, GA were recruited. Arterial stiffness was measured as pulse wave velocity (PWV). Total and domain-specific physical activity were assessed by self-report. Multiple linear regression models were used to investigate differences across physical activity levels after adjusting for age, sex, CVD risk factors, and socioeconomic status. Findings were validated in an independent cohort of Black adults ( n = 55, age 50.4 ± 9.2, 23.6% male). After adjustment for covariates, lower arterial stiffness was associated with higher self-reported levels of sport/exercise (6.92 ± 1.13 vs 7.75 ± 1.14, p < 0.001, highest vs lowest quartile) and home/life activities (7.34 ± 1.24 vs 7.73 ± 1.07, p = 0.04, highest vs lowest quartile), but not work, active living, or the overall physical activity scores. These findings were replicated in the independent cohort where higher levels of sport/exercise remained associated with lower arterial stiffness (6.66 ± 0.57 vs 8.21 ± 0.66, p < 0.001, highest vs lowest quartile). Higher levels of sport/exercise and home/life-related physical activities (in comparison to occupational physical activity) are associated with lower arterial stiffness in Black adults.

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