Self-monitoring physical activity with a smartphone application in cancer patients: a randomized feasibility study (SMART-trial)

Harm L Ormel, Gabriela G F van der Schoot, Nico-Derk L Westerink, Wim J Sluiter, Jourik A Gietema, Annemiek M E Walenkamp, Harm L Ormel, Gabriela G F van der Schoot, Nico-Derk L Westerink, Wim J Sluiter, Jourik A Gietema, Annemiek M E Walenkamp

Abstract

Purpose: Evidence accumulates that an active lifestyle positively influences cancer treatment outcome. A "smartphone application" (app) such as "RunKeeper," to self-monitor physical activity (PA) might be helpful. This study aimed to examine whether using RunKeeper to increase self-reported PA is feasible in cancer patients and to evaluate patients' opinion about using RunKeeper in a 12-week program.

Methods: Adult patients (n = 32), diagnosed with cancer, were randomized between usual care (n = 16) or a 12-week intervention with instructions to self-monitor PA with RunKeeper (n = 16). Changes in PA were determined with the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) at baseline (T0), 6 weeks (T1), and 12 weeks (T2). Usability and patients' experiences were tested at T2 with the System Usability Scale (SUS) and a semi-structured interview.

Results: Patient mean age was 33.6 years. Between T0 and T1, an increase in PA of 51% (medium estimated effect size r = 0.40) was found in PASE sum score in the intervention group compared with usual care. In addition, total minutes of PA increased with 46% (r = 0.37). These effects decreased over time (T2). Sedentary time decreased with 19% between T0 and T1 and 27% between T0 and T2. Usability was rated "good" and most patients found RunKeeper use helpful to improve PA.

Conclusions: Self-monitoring PA with RunKeeper was safe and feasible in cancer patients. The RunKeeper use resulted in an increase in PA after 6 weeks. RunKeeper usability was rated good and can be used to study PA in cancer patients.

Trial registration: NCT02391454.

Keywords: Cancer; Exercise; Healthy lifestyle; Physical activity; RunKeeper; Self-monitoring; Smartphone application.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the medical ethical committee of the UMCG (ethical approval) and with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments. Written informed consent was obtained from all participating patients. The study was registered in

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Flowchart of the SMART-trial (n = 32). PA, physical activity; PS, performance score; app, smartphone application

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