A randomized controlled trial of Promoting Physical Activity in Regional and Remote Cancer Survivors (PPARCS).

Background Physical activity (PA) is important for cancer survivors. Trials of remotely delivered interventions are needed to assist in reaching under-served non-metropolitan cancer survivors. The objective of this study was to ascertain whether wearable technology, coupled with health coaching was effective in increasing PA in breast and colorectal cancer survivors living in regional and remote areas in Australia. Methods Cancer survivors from 5 states were randomized to intervention and control arms. Intervention participants were given a Fitbit Charge 2 and received up to 6 telephone health coaching sessions. Control participants received PA print materials. Accelerometer assessments at baseline and 12 weeks measured moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), light PA, and sedentary behavior. Results Eighty-seven participants were recruited (age = 63 ± 11 years; 74 (85%) female). There was a significant net improvement in MVPA of 50 min/week, favoring the intervention group (95% confidence interval (95%CI): 13.6–86.1, p = 0.007). There was also a net increase in MVPA bouts of 39.5 min/week (95%CI: 11.9–67.1, p = 0.005), favoring the intervention group. Both groups improved light PA and sedentary behavior, but there were no between-group differences. Conclusion This is the first study to demonstrate that, when compared to standard practice (i.e., PA education), a wearable technology intervention coupled with distance-based health coaching, improves MVPA in non-metropolitan cancer survivors. The results display promise for the use of scalable interventions using smart wearable technology in conjunction with phone-based health coaching to foster increased PA in geographically disadvantaged cancer survivors.

PPARCS- Promoting Physical Activity in Regional and Remote Cancer Survivors

The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of wearable technology and health coaching in increasing physical activity in breast and colorectal cancer survivors living in regional and remote areas in Australia. The intervention group received a Fitbit and six telephone health coaching sessions while the control group received PA print materials. The results showed a significant improvement in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in the intervention group compared to the control group. Both groups improved light physical activity and sedentary behavior but there were no significant differences between them. This study demonstrates the potential of scalable interventions using smart wearable technology and phone-based health coaching to increase physical activity in geographically disadvantaged cancer survivors.

This research is important because it addresses the need for effective interventions to increase physical activity in cancer survivors, particularly in under-served non-metropolitan areas. Physical activity is essential for reducing the risk of secondary cancers, cardiovascular disease, and functional decline in cancer survivors. Moreover, it has been associated with a reduced risk of cancer-related death and all-cause mortality. However, many cancer survivors fail to meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity, making it essential to develop scalable interventions that can reach and benefit a large number of survivors.

Key Takeaways:

1. This study aimed to determine if wearable technology coupled with health coaching could increase physical activity in breast and colorectal cancer survivors living in regional and remote areas in Australia.

2. The study found that the intervention group showed a significant net improvement in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) of 49.8 min/week compared to the control group.

3. The results suggest that wearable technology interventions coupled with distance-based health coaching have promise for fostering increased physical activity in geographically disadvantaged cancer survivors.