Abstract
BackgroundBreast cancer is the most common malignant disease in women. Compared with other cancer types, breast cancer has a higher survival rate. The majority of breast cancer patients are overstrained to implement cancer-specific recommendations relating to changes in health behaviour. Numerous epidemiological studies have shown a positive correlation between physical activity and quality of life as well as the course of disease during and after breast cancer treatment. However, many patients have difficulties integrating physical activity into their everyday lives due to cancer symptoms. To develop physical activity into a daily routine, an aftercare programme for breast cancer patients will be developed. In particular, the programme is structured in terms of the validated concept “Neues Credo”. The basic concept is converted into a mobile application.MethodsThe study sample includes n = 740 rehabilitants (370 for the intervention group and for the control group) from five different rehab clinics in Northern Germany. The evaluation is as follows: a) Quasi-randomized, prospective longitudinal study (sequential study design). The intervention group receives a mobile application after rehabilitation, and the control group receives treatment as usual. The study evaluation is carried out through a questionnaire at three stages (at the beginning of the rehabilitation, at the end of the rehabilitation, and after 12 months). b) Qualitative analysis of interviews and focus groups in terms of feasibility and acceptance. c) Formative evaluation of the app.DiscussionAbove all, the aftercare programme ReNaApp increases the long-term effects of oncological rehabilitation. By documenting physical activity in ReNaApp, rehabilitants become more motivated to engage in physical activity in their everyday lives. Currently, there is no scientifically evaluated app for breast cancer patients in the German language. Thus, ReNaApp ensures an aftercare treatment for breast cancer patients with high-quality performance regardless of their place of residence. By adopting a participatory approach and a user-centred design, ReNaApp corresponds to the demands of the rehabilitants.Trial registrationGerman Register of Clinical Trials, www.drks.de.Identifier: DRKS00019017; Registered: November 7th, 2019.Date and version identifier: April 17th 2020; vesion 2.
Highlights
Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease in women
Women are faced with symptoms and side effects, including fatigue, weight increase, decrease in muscle strength and bone density, pain, fear and depression, reduction of social and work-related participation and reduction of quality of life [3]
Physical activities increase the sense of well-being, quality of life and survival rate after cancer [3,4,5,6]
Summary
Eligibility criteria All patients from our five partner clinics with a reliable diagnosis of breast cancer will be included in this study (C50.0–.9 und D05.0–.9). Adding the single items to form a total score, the patients can be subdivided into two risk groups This scale has been validated in a large sample and is reliable. B: qualitative measures Interviews and focus groups with patients, aftercare agents and physicians Six rehabilitants will be interviewed by telephone at 3, 6 and 9 months post-rehab. From their personal point of view, they should assess the aftercare strategy, the use of ReNaApp, and the current status of the aftercare programme. Calculating the sample size, we assume clinically relevant and positive effects (pre-catamnesis-ES = 0.40) in social and work-related participation (IMET [42]) in the IG after a 12-month follow-up. The coding will be merged to develop a consensus
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