Abstract
BackgroundSignificant benefits accrue from increasing physical activity levels in people with a history of cancer. Physical activity levels can be increased using behavioral change interventions in this population. Access to Web portals and provision of activity monitors to provide feedback may support behavior change by encouraging patient engagement in physical therapy. The Web portal evaluated in this study will provide a system to monitor physical activity and sleep, for use by both clinician and patient, along with symptom and health-related quality of life tracking capabilities.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to outline a protocol for a feasibility study focused on a Web-based portal that provides activity monitoring and personalized messaging to increase physical activity in people with cancer.MethodsUsing a longitudinal cohort design, people with cancer will be serially allocated to 3 intervention cohorts of 20 participants each and followed for 10 weeks. Cohort 1 will be provided a wearable activity monitor and access to a Web-based portal. Cohort 2 will receive the same content as Cohort 1 and in addition will receive a weekly activity summary message. Cohort 3 will receive the same content as Cohorts 1 and 2 and in addition will receive a personalized weekly coaching message. Feasibility of the use of the portal is the primary outcome.ResultsResults are expected in early 2018. Outcome measures will include goal attainment and completion rate.ConclusionsThis study will provide information about the feasibility of investigating eHealth initiatives to promote physical activity in people with cancer.Registered Report IdentifierRR1-10.2196/9586
Highlights
IntroductionPhysical Activity and CancerThere is consistent evidence that exercise prescribed during or following completion of cancer treatment is safe and feasible and reduces clinically important symptoms and side effects, including fatigue, low mood, and loss of muscular strength and aerobic fitness [1,2,3]
Physical Activity and CancerThere is consistent evidence that exercise prescribed during or following completion of cancer treatment is safe and feasible and reduces clinically important symptoms and side effects, including fatigue, low mood, and loss of muscular strength and aerobic fitness [1,2,3]
Our study aims to evaluate the feasibility of a dual-facing Web portal, which incorporates synchronized data from activity trackers, symptom management, and Personalized messages (PMs) as a method of monitoring and improving care for people with cancer who attend an Australian comprehensive cancer care center
Summary
Physical Activity and CancerThere is consistent evidence that exercise prescribed during or following completion of cancer treatment is safe and feasible and reduces clinically important symptoms and side effects, including fatigue, low mood, and loss of muscular strength and aerobic fitness [1,2,3]. Evidence is emerging that exercise may positively impact treatment delivery, such as improvements in chemotherapy completion rates, number of dose reductions, as well as decreased cancer recurrence rate and improved overall survival in some cancers [2,3] Despite this evidence, achieving behavioral change in cancer populations in relation to exercise has been challenging [4]. Access to Web portals and provision of activity monitors to provide feedback may support behavior change by encouraging patient engagement in physical therapy. Objective: The aim of this study was to outline a protocol for a feasibility study focused on a Web-based portal that provides activity monitoring and personalized messaging to increase physical activity in people with cancer.
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