Abstract
This review aimed to identify, evaluate, and synthesize the scientific literature on mobile health (mHealth) interventions to promote physical activity (PA) or reduce sedentary behavior (SB) in cancer survivors. We searched six databases from 2000 to 13 April 2020 for controlled and non-controlled trials published in any language. We conducted best evidence syntheses on controlled trials to assess the strength of the evidence. All 31 interventions included in this review measured PA outcomes, with 10 of them also evaluating SB outcomes. Most study participants were adults/older adults with various cancer types. The majority (n = 25) of studies implemented multicomponent interventions, with activity trackers being the most commonly used mHealth technology. There is strong evidence for mHealth interventions, including personal contact components, in increasing moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA among cancer survivors. However, there is inconclusive evidence to support mHealth interventions in increasing total activity and step counts. There is inconclusive evidence on SB potentially due to the limited number of studies. mHealth interventions that include personal contact components are likely more effective in increasing PA than mHealth interventions without such components. Future research should address social factors in mHealth interventions for PA and SB in cancer survivors.
Highlights
In 2020, it was estimated that there were about 19.3 million new cancer cases and almost 10.0 million cancer deaths worldwide [1]
All the studies evaluated the effects of mobile health (mHealth) interventions on physical activity (PA) outcomes, and only 10 of these reported on sedentary behavior (SB) outcomes
From our best evidence synthesis, it suggests that the implementation of mHealth interventions with personal contact may be effective in increasing moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) among cancer survivors
Summary
In 2020, it was estimated that there were about 19.3 million new cancer cases and almost 10.0 million cancer deaths worldwide [1]. Cancer affects all regions of the world and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality This is concerning considering that it is predicted that an estimated 28.4 million new cancer cases are expected to occur worldwide in 2040. This is a 47% increase in annual cases from the 19.3 million cases reported in 2020 [1]. 25% and 10% of cancer survivors reported poor physical and mental health, respectively. This stands in contrast to 10% and 6% in adults without cancer [4]. Increasing physical activity (PA) and reducing sedentary behavior (SB) can improve the health and quality of life of cancer survivors
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