An Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behavior and Promote Physical Activity in Colorectal Cancer Chemotherapy

September 28, 2026 updated by: Yonsei University

Development and Feasibility Evaluation of an Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behavior and Promote Physical Activity in Patients With Colorectal Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy

This single-group feasibility study develops and evaluates an intervention designed to reduce sedentary behavior and promote physical activity in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy. During chemotherapy, treatment-related symptoms such as fatigue often lead to reduced physical activity and prolonged sitting time. Replacing sedentary time with light-intensity movement is associated with improved metabolic outcomes and a lower risk of several chronic conditions, including cancer. The intervention is developed using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) model and the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW), and is delivered over 3 weeks using a smartwatch. It comprises smartwatch-based prompts to interrupt prolonged sitting, symptom assessment and symptom-management education, and feedback on physical activity and sedentary behavior. Sedentary behavior and physical activity are measured objectively by smartwatch continuously before, during, and after the 3-week intervention. The primary aim is to evaluate the feasibility of the intervention across the domains of acceptability, demand, implementation, and practicality. Secondary aims explore preliminary changes in physical activity, sedentary behavior, symptoms, health-related quality of life, and self-efficacy to reduce sedentary behavior. The findings are intended to inform the development of future interventions and nursing care to support health management in patients with cancer.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Background and rationale: Patients with colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy frequently experience symptoms such as fatigue that reduce physical activity and increase sedentary time. Prolonged sedentary behavior is independently associated with adverse health outcomes, whereas replacing sitting with light-intensity activity confers metabolic and other health benefits. Reducing sedentary behavior is a feasible, low-burden behavioral target that may be more attainable than structured exercise during active treatment. Continuous, objective monitoring of activity and symptoms using a wearable device, combined with tailored feedback, offers a practical approach for this population.

Objective: To develop a Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) based intervention to reduce sedentary behavior and promote physical activity in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy, and to evaluate its feasibility.

Intervention development: The intervention is developed using the COM-B model and the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW). A behavioral diagnosis is conducted across the COM-B components (capability, opportunity, motivation). Relevant intervention functions (education, training, enablement, environmental restructuring) and behavior change techniques (e.g., prompts/cues, self-monitoring of behavior, feedback on behavior, goal setting, problem solving, action planning, information about health consequences, verbal persuasion about capability, social rewards) are selected and mapped to interrupt prolonged sitting. The draft intervention undergoes expert review, and content validity is assessed using a 4-point scale with reference to the Item-level Content Validity Index (I-CVI) and Scale-level Content Validity Index (S-CVI); the intervention is refined based on expert feedback.

Study design and procedure: A single-group, non-randomized feasibility study with a pre-post test design is conducted. After providing written informed consent and confirming eligibility, each participant receives a study-provided smartwatch and participates in a 3-week intervention. Sedentary behavior and physical activity are recorded objectively by the smartwatch continuously for 3 weeks before, during, and 3 weeks after the intervention. The intervention comprises five core components, with the central target of interrupting prolonged sitting: when 60 minutes of continuous sitting is detected during waking hours, the participant is prompted to perform at least 1-2 minutes of light-intensity activity. The components are: (1) smartwatch-based sedentary prompts (vibration alerts after 60 minutes of continuous sitting, with guided light-activity options); (2) self-monitoring of sedentary behavior and physical activity via the smartwatch app; (3) structured weekly nurse feedback delivered by telephone (10-15 minutes; reviewing weekly activity data, reinforcing successes, and setting condition-adjusted goals); (4) weekly electronic symptom monitoring using the ESAS-r Cancer; and (5) tailored symptom-management education addressing treatment-related symptoms (e.g., fatigue, pain) as key barriers to reducing sedentary behavior. Survey-based outcomes are assessed at two time points (pre- and post-intervention) to enable pre-post comparison, scheduled to coincide with routine outpatient visits, so no additional hospital visits are required.

Measurements: Objective sedentary behavior and physical activity (smartwatch); subjective physical activity (GPAQ); symptoms and quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30 & CR29); self-efficacy to reduce sedentary behavior (SRSB); and feasibility of the intervention (acceptability, demand, implementation, practicality).

Sample size: Forty participants are enrolled. Statistical analysis: Data are analyzed using SPSS/WIN 29.0 (alpha = .05). General and clinical characteristics and all feasibility outcomes are summarized using descriptive statistics. As exploratory secondary analyses, changes in objective sedentary behavior and physical activity across the three time points (pre-, during, and post-intervention) are analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA, and survey-based outcomes measured at two time points are compared using ANCOVA.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
40

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

19 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Diagnosed with colorectal cancer (stage 2 or 3) and scheduled to receive or currently receiving chemotherapy
  2. Able to use a smartwatch and respond to smartphone-based surveys
  3. Able to read and understand Korean and provide written informed consent
  4. ECOG performance status of 0 or 1

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Newly advised by the attending physician to restrict physical activity
  2. Any injury or condition that, in the investigator's judgment, makes study participation inappropriate

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Intervention group

All participants receive the 3-week smartwatch-based behavioral intervention to reduce sedentary behavior and promote physical activity. Sedentary behavior and physical activity are monitored using the smartwatch for 3 weeks before, throughout, and for 3 weeks after the intervention.
Behavioral: Sedentary behavior reduction intervention for patients with colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy

A 3-week, COM-B based behavioral intervention delivered via a smartwatch, primarily targeting the interruption of prolonged sitting: when 60 minutes of continuous sitting is detected during waking hours, the participant is prompted to perform at least 1-2 minutes of light-intensity activity. It comprises five core components: (1) smartwatch-based sedentary prompts (vibration alerts after 60 minutes of continuous sitting, with guided light-activity options); (2) self-monitoring of sedentary behavior and physical activity; (3) structured weekly nurse feedback by telephone (10-15 minutes; reviewing weekly activity data, reinforcing successes, and setting condition-adjusted goals); (4) weekly electronic symptom monitoring using the ESAS-r Cancer; and (5) tailored symptom-management education addressing treatment-related symptoms (e.g., fatigue, pain) as key barriers to reducing sedentary behavior.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Feasibility of the intervention: acceptability
Time Frame: At 3 weeks after intervention start (immediately following completion of the intervention)

Acceptability: satisfaction/ease/burden/recommendation, 5-point Likert
At 3 weeks after intervention start (immediately following completion of the intervention)
Feasibility of the intervention: demand (1) Recruitment rate
Time Frame: At enrollment (baseline)

enrolled participants / eligible individuals approached (%)
At enrollment (baseline)
Feasibility of the intervention: demand (2) Retention rate
Time Frame: At 3 weeks after intervention start (immediately following completion of the intervention)

participants completing the post-intervention assessment / enrolled participants (%)
At 3 weeks after intervention start (immediately following completion of the intervention)
Feasibility of the intervention: implementation (intervention adherence rate)
Time Frame: At 3 weeks after intervention start (immediately following completion of the intervention)

overall adherence rate to intervention components (%)
At 3 weeks after intervention start (immediately following completion of the intervention)
Feasibility of the intervention: practicality
Time Frame: At 3 weeks after intervention start (immediately following completion of the intervention)

CTCAE-graded adverse events and technical faults (n)
At 3 weeks after intervention start (immediately following completion of the intervention)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change from baseline in sedentary behavior
Time Frame: Three weeks before, throughout the 3-week intervention, and three weeks after the intervention.

Sedentary time (min/day)
Three weeks before, throughout the 3-week intervention, and three weeks after the intervention.
Change from baseline in physical activity
Time Frame: Three weeks before, throughout the 3-week intervention, and three weeks after the intervention.

Physical activity time (min/day)
Three weeks before, throughout the 3-week intervention, and three weeks after the intervention.
Change from baseline in symptoms at 3 weeks
Time Frame: Baseline and 3 weeks after intervention start

EORTC QLQ-C30/CR29 symptom scales (0-100; higher scores indicate worse symptoms)
Baseline and 3 weeks after intervention start
Change from baseline in quality of life at 3 weeks
Time Frame: Baseline and 3 weeks after intervention start

EORTC QLQ-C30 global health status/QoL scale (0-100; higher scores indicate better quality of life)
Baseline and 3 weeks after intervention start
Change from baseline in self-efficacy to reduce sedentary behavior at 3 weeks
Time Frame: Baseline and 3 weeks after intervention start

Self-Efficacy to Reduce Sedentary Behavior (SRSB) Questionnaire (9-item mean score, 1-5; higher scores indicate greater self-efficacy)
Baseline and 3 weeks after intervention start

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Yonsei University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
October 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
July 31, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
August 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
June 29, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 28, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
September 29, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 29, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 28, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 4-2026-0040

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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