Effects of Web-Based Interventions on Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Survivors: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Ching Su ◽  
Su-Er Guo ◽  
Ya-Wen Kuo

BACKGROUND Approximately 80% of colorectal cancer survivors have at least one comorbidity. Physical activity (PA) can mitigate the adverse effects of disease treatment, reduce patients’ mortality rate, and improve their quality of life (QoL). However, colorectal cancer survivors generally engage in insufficient PA. The present study proposed that web-based interventions can assist patients with colorectal cancer in improving their PA behavior to induce health-promoting effects, thus positively influencing their QoL. OBJECTIVE To perform a systematic literature review, to employ web-based interventions to improve the PA behavior and QoL of colorectal cancer survivors, and to assess the quality of research articles. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed based on the PRISMA guidelines to compile literature on the influence of web-based interventions on the PA activity and QoL of colorectal cancer survivors. Electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CEPS) were searched up until July 2020. Additionally, the researchers manually searched for journal articles referenced in the collected literature. Literature quality assessment and data extraction were performed by 3 researchers individually using the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tool. RESULTS Among the 438 searched studies, 6 published between 2009 and 2019 met the inclusion criteria. Of these studies, 4 had adopted randomized controlled trial designs and 2 had employed one-group pretest–posttest designs. The collected literature exhibited risk of bias to varying degrees. The overall outcomes revealed that after 6 months of web-based interventions, participants’ performance in PA indicators improved significantly (P = .03). Additionally, a comparison conducted using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life scale revealed no significant differences between the experiment group, which received 3 months of intervention, and the control group (P = .24). However, a comparison conducted using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal questionnaire indicated a significant difference in QoL indicators between groups (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS Web-based interventions are conducive to improving the PA behavior and QoL of colorectal cancer survivors. Because intervention outcomes may differ based on the intervention time and the assessment tools used, more randomized controlled trial–based clinical research is required to provide suggestions for clinical practice.

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy A. Willems ◽  
Catherine A. W. Bolman ◽  
Ilse Mesters ◽  
Iris M. Kanera ◽  
Audrey A. J. M. Beaulen ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary Chan ◽  
Katherine Van Loon ◽  
Stacey A Kenfield ◽  
June Maylin Chan ◽  
Emily Mitchell ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND There are over 1.3 million colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors in the United States, many of whom report lower health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) for years after diagnosis and treatment. Physical activity may improve survival outcomes and HRQoL for CRC survivors. Feasible interventions to support physical activity after CRC diagnosis are needed. OBJECTIVE This pilot study aimed to explore the impact of digital health intervention on physical activity and HRQoL. METHODS We conducted a two-arm, randomized controlled trial of 41 men and women who had completed treatment for CRC. Participants in the intervention arm were given a Fitbit Flex™ and received daily text messages for 12 weeks. HRQoL was assessed in both arms at enrollment and 12 weeks using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Survey (SF-36) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment – Colorectal (FACT-C). Survey score changes from enrollment to 12 weeks were compared between the two arms using independent t-tests and scores at enrollment and 12 weeks were compared using paired t-tests. RESULTS We observed an increase in the FACT-C functional well-being sub-scale in individuals in the intervention arm pre- to post- intervention (median difference: 2; interquartile range (IQR): 1,4; P = .02). In contrast, no change in functional well-being sub-scale was found in the control arm (median difference: 0; IQR: -1,1; P = .71). No other measures of HRQoL appeared to differ within arm, across time points, or between arms. CONCLUSIONS A 12-week physical activity intervention using a Fitbit Flex™ and daily text messages may improve functional well-being among CRC survivors. Larger randomized studies are needed to definitively determine if a digital physical activity intervention improves functional well-being among CRC survivors and if this improvement can be sustained over time. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02966054


10.2196/31976 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e31976
Author(s):  
Nicholas J Hulbert-Williams ◽  
Monica Leslie ◽  
Lee Hulbert-Williams ◽  
Bogda Koczwara ◽  
Eila K Watson ◽  
...  

Background Cancer survivors frequently report a range of unmet psychological and supportive care needs; these often continue after treatment has finished and are predictive of psychological distress and poor health-related quality of life. Web-based interventions demonstrate good efficacy in addressing these concerns and are more accessible than face-to-face interventions. Finding My Way (FMW) is a web-based, psycho-educational, and cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for cancer survivors developed in Australia. Previous trials have demonstrated that FMW is acceptable, highly adhered to, and effective in reducing the impact of distress on quality of life while leading to cost savings through health resource use reduction. Objective This study aims to adapt the Australian FMW website for a UK cancer care context and then undertake a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial of FMW UK against a treatment-as-usual waitlist control. Methods To an extent, our trial design replicates the existing Australian randomized controlled trial of FMW. Following a comprehensive adaptation of the web resource, we will recruit 294 participants (147 per study arm) from across clinical sites in North West England and North Wales. Participants will have been diagnosed with cancer of any type in the last 6 months, have received anticancer treatment with curative intent, be aged ≥16 years, be proficient in English, and have access to the internet and an active email address. Participants will be identified and recruited through the National Institute for Health Research clinical research network. Measures of distress, quality of life, and health economic outcomes will be collected using a self-report web-based questionnaire at baseline, midtreatment, posttreatment, and both 3- and 6-month follow-up. Quantitative data will be analyzed using intention-to-treat mixed model repeated measures analysis. Embedded semistructured qualitative interviews will probe engagement with, and experiences of using, FMW UK and suggestions for future improvements. Results The website adaptation work was completed in January 2021. A panel of cancer survivors and health care professionals provided feedback on the test version of FMW UK. Feedback was positive overall, although minor updates were made to website navigation, inclusivity, terminology, and the wording of the Improving Communication and Sexuality and Intimacy content. Recruitment for the clinical trial commenced in April 2021. We aim to report on findings from mid-2023. Conclusions Replication studies are an important aspect of the scientific process, particularly in psychological and clinical trial literature, especially in different geographical settings. Before replicating the FMW trial in the UK setting, content updating was required. If FMW UK now replicates Australian findings, we will have identified a novel and cost-effective method of psychosocial care delivery for cancer survivors in the United Kingdom. Trial Registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) 14317248; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN14317248 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/31976


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J Hulbert-Williams ◽  
Monica Leslie ◽  
Lee Hulbert-Williams ◽  
Bogda Koczwara ◽  
Eila K Watson ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Cancer survivors frequently report a range of unmet psychological and supportive care needs; these often continue after treatment has finished and are predictive of psychological distress and poor health-related quality of life. Web-based interventions demonstrate good efficacy in addressing these concerns and are more accessible than face-to-face interventions. <i>Finding My Way</i> (FMW) is a web-based, psycho-educational, and cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for cancer survivors developed in Australia. Previous trials have demonstrated that <i>FMW</i> is acceptable, highly adhered to, and effective in reducing the impact of distress on quality of life while leading to cost savings through health resource use reduction. OBJECTIVE This study aims to adapt the Australian <i>FMW</i> website for a UK cancer care context and then undertake a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial of <i>FMW UK</i> against a treatment-as-usual waitlist control. METHODS To an extent, our trial design replicates the existing Australian randomized controlled trial of <i>FMW.</i> Following a comprehensive adaptation of the web resource, we will recruit 294 participants (147 per study arm) from across clinical sites in North West England and North Wales. Participants will have been diagnosed with cancer of any type in the last 6 months, have received anticancer treatment with curative intent, be aged ≥16 years, be proficient in English, and have access to the internet and an active email address. Participants will be identified and recruited through the National Institute for Health Research clinical research network. Measures of distress, quality of life, and health economic outcomes will be collected using a self-report web-based questionnaire at baseline, midtreatment, posttreatment, and both 3- and 6-month follow-up. Quantitative data will be analyzed using intention-to-treat mixed model repeated measures analysis. Embedded semistructured qualitative interviews will probe engagement with, and experiences of using, <i>FMW UK</i> and suggestions for future improvements<i>.</i> RESULTS The website adaptation work was completed in January 2021. A panel of cancer survivors and health care professionals provided feedback on the test version of <i>FMW UK.</i> Feedback was positive overall, although minor updates were made to website navigation, inclusivity, terminology, and the wording of the <i>Improving Communication</i> and <i>Sexuality and Intimacy</i> content. Recruitment for the clinical trial commenced in April 2021. We aim to report on findings from mid-2023. CONCLUSIONS Replication studies are an important aspect of the scientific process, particularly in psychological and clinical trial literature, especially in different geographical settings. Before replicating the <i>FMW</i> trial in the UK setting, content updating was required. If <i>FMW UK</i> now replicates Australian findings, we will have identified a novel and cost-effective method of psychosocial care delivery for cancer survivors in the United Kingdom. CLINICALTRIAL International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) 14317248; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN14317248 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/31976


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document