scholarly journals Development and Evaluation of an Accelerometer-Based Protocol for Measuring Physical Activity Levels in Cancer Survivors: Development and Usability Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy E Crane ◽  
Meghan B Skiba ◽  
Austin Miller ◽  
David O Garcia ◽  
Cynthia A Thomson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Accelerometer Data ◽  
Activity Tracking ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Activity Measurements

BACKGROUND The collection of self-reported physical activity using validated questionnaires has known bias and measurement error. OBJECTIVE Accelerometry, an objective measure of daily activity, increases the rigor and accuracy of physical activity measurements. Here, we describe the methodology and related protocols for accelerometry data collection and quality assurance using the Actigraph GT9X accelerometer data collection in a convenience sample of ovarian cancer survivors enrolled in GOG/NRG 0225, a 24-month randomized controlled trial of diet and physical activity intervention versus attention control. METHODS From July 2015 to December 2019, accelerometers were mailed on 1337 separate occasions to 580 study participants to wear at 4 time points (baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months) for 7 consecutive days. Study staff contacted participants via telephone to confirm their availability to wear the accelerometers and reviewed instructions and procedures regarding the return of the accelerometers and assisted with any technology concerns. RESULTS We evaluated factors associated with wear compliance, including activity tracking, use of a mobile app, and demographic characteristics with chi-square tests and logistic regression. Compliant data, defined as ≥4 consecutive days with ≥10 hours daily wear time, exceeded 90% at all study time points. Activity tracking, but no other characteristics, was significantly associated with compliant data at all time points (<i>P</i>&lt;.001). This implementation of data collection through accelerometry provided highly compliant and usable activity data in women who recently completed treatment for ovarian cancer. CONCLUSIONS The high compliance and data quality associated with this protocol suggest that it could be disseminated to support researchers who seek to collect robust objective activity data in cancer survivors residing in a wide geographic area.

scholarly journals Development and Evaluation of an Accelerometer-Based Protocol for Measuring Physical Activity Levels in Cancer Survivors: Development and Usability Study

10.2196/18491 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. e18491
Author(s):  
Tracy E Crane ◽  
Meghan B Skiba ◽  
Austin Miller ◽  
David O Garcia ◽  
Cynthia A Thomson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Accelerometer Data ◽  
Activity Tracking ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Activity Measurements

Background The collection of self-reported physical activity using validated questionnaires has known bias and measurement error. Objective Accelerometry, an objective measure of daily activity, increases the rigor and accuracy of physical activity measurements. Here, we describe the methodology and related protocols for accelerometry data collection and quality assurance using the Actigraph GT9X accelerometer data collection in a convenience sample of ovarian cancer survivors enrolled in GOG/NRG 0225, a 24-month randomized controlled trial of diet and physical activity intervention versus attention control. Methods From July 2015 to December 2019, accelerometers were mailed on 1337 separate occasions to 580 study participants to wear at 4 time points (baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months) for 7 consecutive days. Study staff contacted participants via telephone to confirm their availability to wear the accelerometers and reviewed instructions and procedures regarding the return of the accelerometers and assisted with any technology concerns. Results We evaluated factors associated with wear compliance, including activity tracking, use of a mobile app, and demographic characteristics with chi-square tests and logistic regression. Compliant data, defined as ≥4 consecutive days with ≥10 hours daily wear time, exceeded 90% at all study time points. Activity tracking, but no other characteristics, was significantly associated with compliant data at all time points (P<.001). This implementation of data collection through accelerometry provided highly compliant and usable activity data in women who recently completed treatment for ovarian cancer. Conclusions The high compliance and data quality associated with this protocol suggest that it could be disseminated to support researchers who seek to collect robust objective activity data in cancer survivors residing in a wide geographic area.

Associations between physical activity and quality of life in ovarian cancer survivors

2007 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 244-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Stevinson ◽  
Wylam Faught ◽  
Helen Steed ◽  
Katia Tonkin ◽  
Aliya B. Ladha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivors

Effect of Incentive Amount on U.S. Adolescents’ Participation in an Accelerometer Data Collection Component of a National Survey

Field Methods ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1525822X2198984
Author(s):  
April Y. Oh ◽  
Andrew Caporaso ◽  
Terisa Davis ◽  
Laura A. Dwyer ◽  
Linda C. Nebeling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Monetary Incentive ◽  
Behavioral Research ◽  
Accelerometer Data ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Demographic Subgroups

Behavioral research increasingly uses accelerometers to provide objective estimates of physical activity. This study extends research on methods for collecting accelerometer data among youth by examining whether the amount of a monetary incentive affects enrollment and compliance in a mail-based accelerometer study of adolescents. We invited a subset of adolescents in a national web-based study to wear an accelerometer for seven days and return it by mail; participants received either $20 or $40 for participating. Enrollment did not significantly differ by incentive amount. However, adolescents receiving the $40 incentive had significantly higher compliance (accelerometer wear and return). This difference was largely consistent across demographic subgroups. Those in the $40 group also wore the accelerometer for more time than the $20 group on the first two days of the study. Compared to $20, a $40 incentive may promote youth completion of mail-based accelerometer studies.

scholarly journals A roadmap: Social distancing physical activity data collection to protect those with intellectual disabilities

2021 ◽  
pp. 174462952110096
Author(s):  
Whitley J Stone ◽  
Kayla M Baker
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Physical Activity Data ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus may impact exercise habits of those with intellectual disabilities. Due to the mandated discontinuation of face-to-face research, investigators must adapt projects to protect all involved while collecting objective physical activity metrics. This brief report outlines a modification process of research methods to adhere to social distancing mandates present during COVID-19. Actions taken included electronic consent and assent forms, an electronic survey, and mailing an accelerometer with included instructions. The amended research methods were implemented without risk for virus transmission or undue burden on the research team, participant, or caregiver. Recruitment was likely impacted by the coronavirus-mediated quarantine, plausibly resulting in bias. Objective physical activity data collection can be sufficiently modified to protect those with intellectual disabilities and investigators. Future research designs may require greater participant incentives and the creation of in-home participation.

A pilot study of individualized exercise prescription to improve physical activity in cancer survivors.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e24030-e24030
Author(s):  
Priyanka Avinash Pophali ◽  
Urshila Durani ◽  
John Shin ◽  
Melissa C. Larson ◽  
Adam Shultz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Solid Tumor ◽  
Exercise Prescription ◽  
Exercise Session ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Supervised Exercise

e24030 Background: Physical activity (PA) in cancer survivors improves quality of life (QOL), functioning, fatigue, and reduces the risk of treatment complications, cancer recurrence and death. However, the optimal intervention for increasing PA is not established. Most prospective studies have shown a 6-12-week program to be an effective intervention but this is often not feasible. Therefore, we piloted a one-time individualized exercise prescription in our cardiac rehabilitation center to improve PA in cancer survivors. Methods: We prospectively enrolled cancer survivors who had completed curative intent treatment, with no evidence of active disease in this pilot study. Survivors who consented underwent a consultation with an exercise physiologist for needs assessment followed by a supervised exercise session with a tailored exercise prescription. Survivors also filled out surveys assessing their PA and QOL at baseline (bl), 3, 6 and 12 months after intervention. Clinical information was collected via chart review. We estimated longitudinal PA score and change in PA using mixed models incorporating scores from all available time points using SAS (v 9.4). Results: Between May 2018 and January 2020, 50 participants (26 lymphoma and 24 solid tumor survivors) completed the intervention. 20% participants were on maintenance therapy during the study. Clinical characteristics of 42 evaluable participants are summarized in Table. The survey response rate was 82%, 58%, 58%, 46% at bl, 3, 6 and 12 months respectively. The level of PA improved with time [mean (SE) PA score: 58.5 (4.3) bl, 63.9 (4.8) at 3, 57.6 (4.8) at 6, 62.6 (5.3) at 12 months]. The change in PA from baseline to follow-up time-points [bl vs 3m p=0.41; bl vs 6m p=0.88; bl vs 12m p=0.55] or between the lymphoma and solid tumor survivors was not statistically significant and limited by sample size. No significant trend in QOL was seen. Conclusions: Individualized exercise prescription using the cardiac rehabilitation program may be a feasible, widely applicable tool to implement a PA intervention among cancer survivors. The trend towards improvement in PA in this novel one-time intervention provides intriguing evidence and deserves future study in larger sample sizes to understand if it can improve and create sustainable PA change comparable to longer term exercise interventions.[Table: see text]

scholarly journals No one accelerometer-based physical activity data collection protocol can fit all research questions

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Bergman ◽  
Maria Hagströmer
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Intensity Level ◽  
Sample Sizes ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Repeated Observations ◽  
Measurement Protocol

Abstract BACKGROUND Measuring physical activity and sedentary behavior accurately remains a challenge. When describing the uncertainty of mean values or when making group comparisons, minimising Standard Error of the Mean (SEM) is important. The sample size and the number of repeated observations within each subject influence the size of the SEM. In this study we have investigated how different combinations of sample sizes and repeated observations influence the magnitude of the SEM. METHODS A convenience sample were asked to wear an accelerometer for 28 consecutive days. Based on the within and between subject variances the SEM for the different combinations of sample sizes and number of monitored days was calculated. RESULTS Fifty subjects (67% women, mean±SD age 41±19 years) were included. The analyses showed, independent of which intensity level of physical activity or how measurement protocol was designed, that the largest reductions in SEM was seen as the sample size were increased. The same magnitude in reductions to SEM was not seen for increasing the number of repeated measurement days within each subject. CONCLUSION The most effective way of reducing the SEM is to have a large sample size rather than a long observation period within each individual. Even though the importance of reducing the SEM to increase the power of detecting differences between groups is well-known it is seldom considered when developing appropriate protocols for accelerometer based research. Therefore the results presented herein serves to highlight this fact and have the potential to stimulate debate and challenge current best practice recommendations of accelerometer based physical activity research.

scholarly journals Challenges to school-based physical activity data collection: Reflections from English primary and secondary schools

2020 ◽  
pp. 001789692095909
Author(s):  
Sarah Taylor ◽  
Michael Owen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Resource Utilisation ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Good Communication ◽  
School Based ◽  
Efficient Data ◽  
Practical Guidance

Background: Schools are ideal environments in which to conduct child and adolescent physical activity (PA) research. Despite this, PA-specific practical guidance for school-based research is lacking, which may present unique challenges to researchers. Based on reflections from our own experiences, this paper seeks to provide practical guidance on how best to approach school-based PA data collection. Discussion: This paper focuses on the practicalities of quantitative and qualitative data collection in English primary (4–11 years) and secondary (11–16 years) schools. Recruitment and consent are discussed, and practical guidance provided with respect to engagement with parent/carer(s) and ethical considerations. The importance of good communication with schools, together with its importance in facilitating efficient data collection (through planning, data collection and resource utilisation), is described. Finally, the importance of giving back to the school and participants once a research project has been completed is stressed. Summary: Improved understanding of data collection procedures for school-based PA research is key to helping research become more systematic and efficient. Findings in this paper will be particularly useful to undergraduate and postgraduate students and early career researchers.

scholarly journals Breast cancer survivors’ preferences for social support features in technology-supported physical activity interventions: findings from a mixed methods evaluation

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 423-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian R Lloyd ◽  
Sara A Hoffman ◽  
Whitney A Welch ◽  
Danielle Blanch-Hartigan ◽  
Kara L Gavin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Message Board ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Social Features

Abstract Incorporating peer and professional social support features into remotely delivered, technology-supported physical activity interventions may increase their effectiveness. However, very little is known about survivors’ preferences for potential social features. This study explored breast cancer survivors’ preferences for both traditional (e.g., coaching calls and peer support) and innovative (i.e., message boards and competitions) social support features within remotely delivered, technology-supported physical activity interventions. Survivors [N = 96; Mage = 55.8 (SD = 10.2)] self-reported demographic and disease characteristics and physical activity. A subset (n = 28) completed semistructured phone interviews. Transcribed interviews were evaluated using a thematic content analysis approach and consensus review. Following interviews, the full sample self-reported preferences for social features for remotely delivered physical activity interventions via online questionnaires. Questionnaire data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Four themes emerged from interview data: (a) technology increases social connectedness; (b) interest in professional involvement/support; (c) connecting with similar survivors; and (d) apprehension regarding competitive social features. Quantitative data indicated that most survivors were interested in social features including a coach (77.1 per cent), team (66.7 per cent), and exercise buddy (57.3 per cent). Survivors endorsed sharing their activity data with their team (80.0 per cent) and buddy (76.6 per cent), but opinions were mixed regarding a progress board ranking their activity in relation to other participants’ progress. Survivors were interested in using a message board to share strategies to increase activity (74.5 per cent) and motivational comments (73.4 per cent). Social features are of overall interest to breast cancer survivors, yet preferences for specific social support features varied. Engaging survivors in developing and implementing remotely delivered, technology-supported social features may enhance their effectiveness.

Missing value imputation for physical activity data measured by accelerometer

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 490-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Ae Lee ◽  
Jeff Gill
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Count Data ◽  
R Package ◽  
Predictive Distribution ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Accelerometer Data ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Log Normal ◽  
Over Dispersion

An accelerometer, a wearable motion sensor on the hip or wrist, is becoming a popular tool in clinical and epidemiological studies for measuring the physical activity. Such data provide a series of activity counts at every minute or even more often and displays a person’s activity pattern throughout a day. Unfortunately, the collected data can include irregular missing intervals because of noncompliance of participants and therefore make the statistical analysis more challenging. The purpose of this study is to develop a novel imputation method to handle the multivariate count data, motivated by the accelerometer data structure. We specify the predictive distribution of the missing data with a mixture of zero-inflated Poisson and Log-normal distribution, which is shown to be effective to deal with the minute-by-minute autocorrelation as well as under- and over-dispersion of count data. The imputation is performed at the minute level and follows the principles of multiple imputation using a fully conditional specification with the chained algorithm. To facilitate the practical use of this method, we provide an R package accelmissing. Our method is demonstrated using 2003−2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.

A Physiological Profile of Ovarian Cancer Survivors to Inform Tailored Exercise Interventions and the Development of Exercise Oncology Guidelines

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 1560-1567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christelle Schofield ◽  
Robert U. Newton ◽  
Daniel A. Galvão ◽  
Paul A. Cohen ◽  
Carolyn J. Peddle-McIntyre
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Physical Activity And Exercise ◽  
And Function ◽  
Exercise Oncology

ObjectivePhysical activity has become increasingly important in supportive cancer care. However, physical activity and exercise guidelines for ovarian cancer survivors remain generic. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize existing data regarding the physiological characteristics (treatment-related adverse effects, concurrent comorbidities, body weight and composition, physical fitness and function, and physical activity behavior) of ovarian cancer survivors to further understanding of their cancer-specific physical activity and exercise needs. We also highlight gaps in the current knowledge base.MethodsWe undertook a narrative review of current literature on the physiological status of ovarian cancer survivors. We defined physiological status as treatment-related adverse effects, concurrent comorbidities, body weight and composition, physical fitness and function, and physical activity behavior.ResultsIn addition to disease- and treatment-related symptoms and adverse effects, the majority of ovarian cancer survivors have comorbidities, which may adversely affect treatment effectiveness and safety, as well as survival. Despite high overweight and obesity rates, a large percentage of women are malnourished at diagnosis, with potentially compromised muscle mass and muscle density. Low muscle density at diagnosis and loss of muscle mass during treatment may be associated with worse survival outcomes. A small number of studies have observed impaired physical function and cardiorespiratory fitness in ovarian cancer survivors. The majority of ovarian cancer survivors are insufficiently active or sedentary.ConclusionsOur review suggests that ovarian cancer survivors could benefit from physical activity and exercise oncology interventions aimed at addressing detrimental changes to physiological status due to disease and treatment. However, current knowledge gaps regarding the physiological characteristics of ovarian cancer survivors throughout the entire survivorship spectrum challenge the development of tailored exercise intervention studies and exercise oncology guidelines.

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