Effect of Wearable Technology-Based Physical Activity Interventions on Breast Cancer Survivors' Physiological, Cognitive, and Emotional Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Daphne S Blount,Zan Gao,Daniel J Mcdonough

doi:10.3390/jcm10092015

Abstract

This systematic review synthesized all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled trials examining the effects of wearable health technology-based physical activity interventions on physiological, cognitive, and emotional outcomes in breast cancer survivors (BCS). We searched NCBI, Academic Search Premier, EMBASE, Web of Science, PubMed, and Medline from inception to March 2021. We included studies which: (1) were RCTs or controlled trials ≥8 weeks in duration; (2) were peer-reviewed and published in English; (3) sampled BCS in full remission and had not received treatment for at least six months; (4) utilized wearable health technology (e.g., Fitbit, Garmin xGC30); and (5) examined physiological, emotional, and/or cognitive outcomes. Sixty-six studies were identified and 14 were included in the review. Most of the observed effects were statistically significant and those which employed multi-component interventions generally yielded greater effects. Overall, the use of wearable health technology reduced sedentary behavior and increased moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity. Further, increased moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity was observed to be associated with increased perceived cognition and higher cognitive performance. Multiple studies also observed significant improvements in attitude, worry, and anxiety. Overall, findings suggested wearable health technology-based physical activity interventions to be effective for improving physical activity, attitude, and cognitive functions and for reducing sedentary behavior, anxiety, and worry in BCS.

Highlights

Breast cancer negatively affects millions of lives around the world as over 1.7 million new cases are diagnosed each year [1]
Breast cancer is associated with other physiological, cognitive, and emotional changes that can negatively influence the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of breast cancer patients and survivors [3]
We did not employ a meta-analysis due to between-study heterogeneity in intervention types, intervention channels, study samples, and outcome measures, which made a meaningful analysis of pooled data impossible

Summary

Introduction

Breast cancer negatively affects millions of lives around the world as over 1.7 million new cases are diagnosed each year [1]. Major risk factors associated with breast cancer in the physiological domain include sedentary lifestyles and associated chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, to list a few [4]. Breast cancer often has profound effects on survivors’ mental health and emotional wellbeing as depression, anxiety, fatigue, and stress are often observed at high levels in this population [6,7]. These three factors can individually or collectively influence a BCS’ HRQoL which can lead to a worsening of their overall health and create unnecessary risk for new or recurring diseases to develop

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