Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a physiotherapy-led remotely delivered physical activity intervention in cancer survivors using wearable technology. The IMPETUS trial

ABSTRACT

Background

Physical activity levels are low in cancer survivors. Remotely delivered programs which harness wearable technology may potentially be beneficial.

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a remotely delivered, physical activity intervention which harnessed wearable technology.

Methods

This single arm pre-post longitudinal study included cancer survivors who had completed treatment in the preceding 3 years. Participants were supplied with a Fitbit One® or Flex® for 12 weeks. Physical activity goals were discussed during support phone calls. Outcome measures, assessed at baseline (T1), 12 weeks (T2), and 24 weeks (T3), included feasibility (recruitment, adherence, safety, acceptability) and efficacy [physical activity (Godin leisure time Index, ActiGraph GT3X+), quality of life (functional assessment of cancer therapy – general, short form 36 physical functioning component), functional capacity (six-minute walk test)].

Results

Forty-five participants completed T1 assessments (10 males, 35 females). Thirty-nine (86.6%) of those underwent assessment at T2 and 31 (68.8%) at T3. The intervention was perceived positively with no adverse effects. There were increases in functional capacity (six-minute walk test, p = .002) between T1-T3, an increase in quality of life [short form 36 physical functioning measure (p = .0035), functional assessment of cancer total score (p = .02)] and self-report physical activity levels (p = .000123) between T1-T2, although effect sizes were generally low (d = 0.180 to d = 0.418). Objectively measured physical activity did not change.

Conclusion

A physical activity intervention including wearable technology was safe, feasible, and well received by cancer survivors. An intervention based on this proof of concept should be followed up in further studies.

KEYWORDS:

• Cancer survivors
• physical activity
• physiotherapy
• intervention
• technology
• feasibility
• fitbit

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2022.2147408

Additional information

Funding

The authors reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.