Effectiveness of Combined Smartwatch and Social Media Intervention on Breast Cancer Survivor Outcomes

Abstract

PURPOSE: Promoting physical activity (PA) among breast cancer survivors (BCS) can improve this population’s health and quality of life (QoL). Yet, innovative technology- based PA interventions among BCS remains understudied. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a combined smartwatch and social media PA intervention on BCS’s health outcomes. METHODS: Thirty BCS (X[Combining Overline]age = 52.6 ± 9.3 years; X[Combining Overline]Wt = 80.2 ± 19.6 kg) participated in this 10-week, 2-arm randomized trial, with BCS randomized into: 1) intervention group(n = 16): received Polar M400 smartwatch for daily PA tracking and joined a Facebook group where social cognitive theory-related PA tips were provided twice weekly, with a weekly workout program being posted; and 2) comparison group (n = 14): only joined separate, but content-identical Facebook group. Outcomes included PA, physiological, psychosocial, and QoL variables. Specifically, PA and energy expenditure (EE) was assessed by ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers, and physiological, psychosocial (e.g., self- efficacy, social support, etc.), and QoL were examined via validated instruments at baseline and post-intervention. RESULTS: No baseline group differences were observed for any variable. Ten BCS dropped out of the study (intervention = 4; comparison = 6). Compared to completers, dropouts had less private insurance coverage, longer duration since diagnosis, and lower annual income, daily light PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), EE, and steps. Thus, a per-protocol analysis was performed, revealing significant group differences for changes in social support (t = -2.1, p = 0.05) and barriers (t = -2.2, p = 0.04). Interestingly, the comparison group demonstrated increases for both variables while the intervention group demonstrated slightly decreased social support and no change in barriers. Notably, both groups demonstrated similarly increased daily LPA, MVPA, EE, and steps of 7.7 min, 5.1 min, 25.1 kcals, and 339 steps, respectively, over time. CONCLUSIONS: Despite extensive user training, several intervention BCS found the Polar M400 difficult to use—possibly decreasing intervention adherence. Future interventions should utilize simpler smartwatches to promote PA among middle-aged clinical/non-clinical populations.