scholarly journals Improving the Physical Activity of Breast Cancer Survivors Through Fitness Trackers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Lynch ◽  
S. Bird ◽  
F. Barnett ◽  
N. Lythgo ◽  
I. Selva-Raj
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Behaviour ◽  
Fitness Tracker ◽  
Fitness Trackers ◽  
Activity Behaviour

Introduction: Increasing physical activity among posttreatment breast cancer survivors is essential, as greater physical activity reduces the relative risk of cancer-specific mortality. This trial examines how a fitness tracker-based intervention changes the physical activity behaviour of inactive posttreatment breast cancer survivors. Methods: Seventeen physically inactive posttreatment breast cancer survivors participated in a randomised cross-over controlled trial. Participants underwent a 12-week intervention of a fitness tracker combined with a behavioural counselling and goal-setting session and 12 weeks of normal activity (control). The primary outcome was the change in physical activity assessed by accelerometry over seven days. Results: The intervention achieved a mean increase of 4.5 min/day of moderate-vigorous physical activity, representative of a small-moderate effect (d = 0.34). Changes in time spent as a proportion of the day in light physical activity (-8.3%) and in sedentary behaviour (7.9%), were both significantly different to baseline (t (16) = 3.522, p < 0.01; t (16) = -3.162, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Interindividual differences in the change of patterns of physical activity behaviour suggest that only for some, fitness trackers can achieve a change in the level of moderate-vigorous physical activity.

Evaluation of an interactive portal for breast cancer survivors: Use, satisfaction, and preliminary effects.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 200-200
Author(s):  
Wilma Kuijpers ◽  
Wim G Groen ◽  
Hester SA Oldenburg ◽  
Michel W.J.M. Wouters ◽  
Neil K Aaronson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Patient Reported

200 Background: MijnAVL is an interactive portal that includes patient education, an overview of appointments, access to the electronic medical record (EMR), patient-reported outcomes plus feedback and physical activity support. The aim of this feasibility study was to evaluate use, satisfaction and preliminary effects among breast cancer survivors. Methods: We included women currently or recently treated for breast cancer with curative intent. At baseline, they completed a questionnaire on sociodemographics, expectations of MijnAVL and three effect measures: patient activation (PAM), quality of life (SF-36), and physical activity (IPAQ). MijnAVL could be used noncommittally for 4 months. Log data were collected retrospectively and participants completed questions on satisfaction and effect measures. This process was conducted twice, to be able to improve MijnAVL iteratively. Results: We included 92 women (mean age 49.5 years, 59% on-treatment). Mean number of logins was 8.7 and mean duration 13.1 minutes. Overview of appointments (80% of participants) and access to the EMR (90%) were most frequently used and most appreciated. Website user satisfaction was rated 3.8 on a 1-5 scale on average and participants were primarily positive about the accessibility of information. We did not find an effect on the PAM. For the SF-36, we found significant improvements on the role functioning – emotional (65.3 to 78.5, p< .01), mental health (69.8 to 76.5, p< .01) and social functioning (71.2 to 80.5, p< .01) domains. Median vigorous physical activity significantly increased from 0 to 360 MET-minutes per week (p< .05); levels of walking and moderate physical activity did not change significantly over time. These effects were not related to the intensity of use of MijnAVL. Conclusions: This study showed that user experiences were positive and that exposure to MijnAVL resulted in improvements on three quality of life domains and vigorous physical activity. More tailored, interactive features might be needed to substantially change empowerment, quality of life and physical activity. Research with a controlled design and possibly a more sensitive measure for patient empowerment are needed to substantiate our findings.

scholarly journals Exploring the feasibility and acceptability of a mixed-methods pilot randomized controlled trial testing a 12-week physical activity intervention with adolescent and young adult cancer survivors

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Wurz ◽  
Jennifer Brunet
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Physical Activity Behaviour ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Activity Behaviour

Abstract Background Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors (i.e. individuals diagnosed with cancer between 15 and 39 years and who completed treatment) may benefit from physical activity. Yet, few researchers have explored the effects of physical activity on physical and psychological outcomes among AYA cancer survivors. A pilot study exploring the feasibility and acceptability of a physical activity intervention and proposed trial methods to inform a definitive randomized controlled trial (RCT) is therefore necessary to fill this gap. Methods A two-arm, mixed-methods pilot RCT was conducted. Participants were randomized to a wait-list control group or a 12-week physical activity intervention comprised of 4 weekly aerobic and strength training sessions (intervention group). Feasibility measures included: number of AYA cancer survivors referred/self-referred, eligible, and recruited, retention to the trial (i.e. assessment completion), adherence to the physical activity intervention, and percentage of missing data for baseline (week 0), mid- (week 6), and post-intervention assessments (week 12). The acceptability of trial methods (all participants) and the intervention (intervention group only) was assessed via qualitative interviews post-intervention. Results Over a 12-month period, 31 AYA cancer survivors were referred/self-referred and 16 were eligible and consented to participate. Retention to the trial was 94% and adherence to the physical activity intervention ranged from 50 to 92%. With the exception of the assessment of aerobic capacity and directly measured physical activity behaviour, there were no missing data. Participants generally reported being satisfied with the trial methods and intervention; however, issues related to delivery of the physical activity intervention were identified. Conclusions The methods and intervention piloted require modification and further pilot testing in advance of a definitive RCT. Recruitment strategies identifying a greater number of younger AYA cancer survivors who have different types of cancers and who lack motivation to participate in physical activity-based studies should be explored. Refining the assessments of directly measured physical activity behaviour and aerobic capacity and incorporating behavioural support into the intervention may improve feasibility and acceptability. This study highlights the value of doing pilot work and provides critically useful data that can be used to refine studies seeking to assess causation and optimize physical activity interventions for AYA cancer survivors. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03016728. Registered January 11, 2017.

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