Usability of a Theory-based Mobile Health Physical Activity Intervention for Breast Cancer Patients during Chemotherapy: Mixed Method Study (Preprint)

Abstract Purpose Mobile health (mHealth) application (app) targeted promoting physical activity (PA) demonstrates advantages in knowledge sharing, social connecting and tailored intervention for breast cancer (BC) patients. However, lacking of theoretical basis restricted sustainable benefits of these apps. We construct a theory-based mHealth PA intervention program and to determine whether this would improve PA behavior change during chemotherapy for BC patients.Methods Social cognitive theory, self-efficacy theory and the theory of planned behavior were referred to construct mHealth intervention strategies. Guided by agile development model, “Breast care” smartphone app based on above integrated theories was developed. Then, a three-month pre-post mHealth PA intervention delivered by the app was implemented. A mixed method was utilized to test the effectiveness of this remotely intervening. Results Twenty participants were recruited. Based on PA capability assessment and baseline PA evaluation, 12 patients were divided into active group, and 8 patients were grouped in sedentary lifestyle. Within three months, the average accumulated app usage time of each participant identified at portal site was 40 minutes a week. The total PA increased 945.70 metabolic equivalents (MET) -min/w with a significant improvement (P=.04) after 3 months. Walking displayed a significant improvement after intervention (904.20 MET-min/w) (P=.03). Qualitative results showed satisfaction and willingness of BC patients to use the app to manage PA and relevant health behaviors.Conclusion The theory-based mHealth PA intervention has great potential to enhance BC patients’ PA awareness and engagement, meanwhile to facilitate their PA behavior change.

Download Full-text

Effects of a 1-Year Physical Activity Intervention on Markers of Hemostasis among Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

TH Open ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1721782 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 05 (01) ◽

pp. e14-e23

Author(s):

Siv Kjølsrud Bøhn ◽

Inger Thune ◽

Vidar Gordon Flote ◽

Hanne Frydenberg ◽

Gro Falkenér Bertheussen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Postmenopausal Women ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Factor Vii ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Hemostatic Factors

Abstract Introduction Physical activity may reduce the development of breast cancer. Whereas hypercoagulability has been linked to adverse outcomes in breast cancer patients, the effects of physical activity on their hemostatic factors are unknown. The study aimed to assess whether long-term (1 year) physical activity can affect hemostatic factors in breast cancer patients. Methods Fifty-five women (35–75 years) with invasive breast cancer stage I/II were randomized to a physical activity intervention (n = 29) lasting 1 year or to a control group (n = 26), and analyzed as intention to treat. Fibrinogen, factor VII antigen, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, and von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen as well as prothrombin fragment 1 + 2, the endogenous thrombin potential and D-dimer, were measured in plasma before intervention (baseline), and then after 6 and 12 months. Results Maximal oxygen uptake (measure of cardiorespiratory fitness) decreased the first 6 months among the controls, but remained stable in the intervention group. We found no significant differences between the two study groups regarding any of the hemostatic factors, except a significantly higher increase in factor VII antigen in the intervention group. The effect of the intervention on VWF was, however, significantly affected by menopausal stage, and a significant effect of the intervention was found on VWF among postmenopausal women, even after adjustment for dietary intake. Conclusion Long-term physical activity had no effect on the majority of the hemostatic factors measured, but led to increased plasma concentrations of factor VII antigen and prevented an increase in VWF concentration after breast cancer treatment in postmenopausal women. The clinical impact of these findings for risk of vascular thrombosis warrants further studies.

Download Full-text

A Theory-based Mobile Health Physical Activity Intervention for Breast Cancer Patients during Chemotherapy:a Preliminary Evaluation (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.22858 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zhaohui Geng ◽

Li Ning ◽

Lingzhi Cai ◽

Ying Liu ◽

Jingting Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Behavior Change ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Mobile Health ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Smartphone Application ◽

Preliminary Evaluation ◽

Breast Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND Physical activity (PA), known as a modifiable protective factor, provides an approach to sustain physical and psycho-social health for breast cancer patients both during and after treatment. Mobile health (mHealth) application targeted promoting health behaviors demonstrates advantages in behavior tracking, knowledge sharing and social connecting and tailored intervention. However, process of mHealth application (App) development is lack of theoretical basis, restricting its sustainable benefits to cancer survivors. OBJECTIVE To construct a theory-based mHealth PA intervention program, and to determine whether this intervention would improve PA behavior change during chemotherapy for breast cancer patients, thus to capture their perspectives and experiences when participate it. METHODS Social cognitive theory (SCT), self-efficacy theory (SET) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) are referred to construct mHealth intervention strategies. Smartphone application was chosen to implement a pre-post three-month PA intervention. A mixed method was utilized to test the preliminary effectiveness of MPAP. Quantitative results from online records and self-reported questionnaires were collected after intervention. Qualitative feedback through telephone interviewing was recorded to explore patients’ using experiences. RESULTS “Breast care” smartphone application was developed to improve self-management of breast cancer patients including PA. In the end, five main pages covering 6 functions (information delivering, disease tracking, events reminding based on calendar, online interaction, health behavior recording and self-reported assessment) were displayed in the app. In the preliminary evaluation process, twenty participants were recruited. Based on PA capability assessment and baseline PA evaluation, 12 patients were divided into active group, and 8 patients were grouped in sedentary lifestyle. Within three months, participants’ usage behavior identified at portal site indicated the accumulated app usage time is 40 minutes a week, and average login time of each participant was three times a week. The total PA increased 945.70 MET-min/w with a significant improvement(p=0.040) after 3 months. Walking displayed a significant improvement after intervention (904.20 MET-min/w) (p=0.030). Sedentary mean time declined 210 mins/w. Qualitative results showed satisfaction and willingness of breast cancer patients to use app to manage PA and relevant health behaviors. CONCLUSIONS The theory-based mHealth PA intervention has great potential to enhance breast cancer patients’ PA awareness and engagement, meanwhile to facilitate their PA behavior change.

Download Full-text

Availability and Utilization of Psychosocial Services for Breast Cancer Patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Mixed Method Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-527384/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Abigiya Wondimagegnehu ◽

Workeabeba Abebe ◽

Selamawit Hirpa Abu ◽

Eva J. Kantelhardt ◽

Adamu Addissie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Mixed Method ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Addis Ababa ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Mixed Method Study ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Psychosocial Services

Abstract Purpose: Although psychosocial services have substantial impact in cancer care, the availability and utilization of these services have not been well-studied in Sub Saharan Africa. Therefore, we explored the types of psychosocial services available for breast cancer patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods: A mixed method study was conducted using a cross-sectional survey involving 428 breast cancer patients, followed by a qualitative study. A total of nine in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with four breast cancer patients and five key informants using two separate interview guides. In addition to descriptive statistics, logistic regression was done to identify factors associated with provision of psychosocial services. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data using NVivo 12 plus software. Results: Only 47 (11.1%) patients received psychosocial services, either in the form of counseling, emotional support or provision of information. Health professionals reportedly provided such services along with their routine activities, and patients predominantly received social/emotional support from family members, friends and colleagues. There were no well-structured counseling service, emotional support or group discussion sessions for breast cancer patients in these health facilities. The main reasons for not providing these services were high patient flow/workload, inadequate space, lack of training and not having qualified professionals to organize and deliver psychosocial services in those hospitals.Conclusions: only one in ten breast cancer patients received psychosocial services from health professionals, and the services were not delivered in a structured way. Therefore, psychosocial services should be integrated both in private and government health facilities of Ethiopia.

Download Full-text