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Ester M, McDonough MH, Bansal M, Dreger J, Daun JT, McNeely ML, Luu T, Culos-Reed SN. Perspectives on Ease of Use and Value of a Self-Monitoring Application to Support Physical Activity Maintenance among Individuals Living with and beyond Cancer. Curr Oncol 2024; 31:1572-1587. [PMID: 38534953 PMCID: PMC10969407 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31030120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physical activity (PA) can improve the physical and psychosocial health of individuals with cancer, yet PA levels remain low. Technology may address PA maintenance barriers in oncology, though the intervention effectiveness to date remains mixed. Qualitative research can reveal the nuances of using technology-based PA maintenance tools. The present study aimed to understand the perspectives of individuals with cancer on using an app to support PA maintenance. METHODS Individuals were interviewed after using a self-monitoring app for 24 weeks, asking about their app use, ease of use, and perceived value for supporting PA. Analyses were guided by an interpretive description. RESULTS Eighteen individuals were interviewed. The participants were 37-75 years old; lived in seven Canadian provinces/territories; identified as White, South Asian, or Indigenous; and had eight different cancers. Four themes were developed: some did not need the app to stay physically active, some valued the app for helping them maintain their PA, the user experience ranged from intuitive to confusing, and the time burden of app use ranged from acceptable to overwhelming. CONCLUSIONS The participants provided insights on using a self-monitoring app to improve PA maintenance in oncology. Work is needed to capture additional perspectives and apply findings to the development of technology-based PA maintenance tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Ester
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (M.H.M.); (M.B.); (J.T.D.); (T.L.)
| | - Meghan H. McDonough
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (M.H.M.); (M.B.); (J.T.D.); (T.L.)
| | - Mannat Bansal
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (M.H.M.); (M.B.); (J.T.D.); (T.L.)
| | - Julianna Dreger
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (M.H.M.); (M.B.); (J.T.D.); (T.L.)
| | - Julia T. Daun
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (M.H.M.); (M.B.); (J.T.D.); (T.L.)
| | - Margaret L. McNeely
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
- Rehabilitation Medicine, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Thompson Luu
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (M.H.M.); (M.B.); (J.T.D.); (T.L.)
| | - S. Nicole Culos-Reed
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (M.H.M.); (M.B.); (J.T.D.); (T.L.)
- Department of Oncology, Cummings School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Department of Psychosocial Resources, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Cancer Care, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB T2N 4N2, Canada
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Hartup S, Briggs M. Managing chronic pain after breast cancer treatments: are web-based interventions the future? Curr Opin Support Palliat Care 2024; 18:47-54. [PMID: 38170201 DOI: 10.1097/spc.0000000000000691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW Chronic post-treatment pain in breast cancer affects a high proportion of patients. Symptom burden and financial costs are increasingly impacting patients and healthcare systems because of improved treatments and survival rates. Supporting long-term breast cancer symptoms using novel methodology has been examined, yet few have explored the opportunity to utilise these interventions for prevention. This review aims to explore the need for, range of, and effectiveness of such interventions. RECENT FINDINGS Three papers describe risk factors for chronic pain, with six recent papers describing the use of interventions for acute pain in the surgical setting. The evidence for the effectiveness of these interventions to improve pain management in this setting is limited but tentatively positive. The results have to take into account the variation between systems and limited testing. SUMMARY Multiple types of intervention emerged and appear well accepted by patients. Most assessed short-term impact and did not evaluate for reduction in chronic pain. Such interventions require rigorous effectiveness testing to meet the growing needs of post-treatment pain in breast cancer. A detailed understanding of components of web-based interventions and their individual impact on acute pain and chronic pain is needed within future optimisation trials. Their effectiveness as preventative tools are yet to be decided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sue Hartup
- St James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds
| | - Michelle Briggs
- Pain Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Science University of Liverpool
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
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Wernhart S, Rassaf T. Exercise, cancer, and the cardiovascular system: clinical effects and mechanistic insights. Basic Res Cardiol 2024:10.1007/s00395-024-01034-4. [PMID: 38353711 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-024-01034-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases and cancer are the leading causes of death in the Western world and share common risk factors. Reduced cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a major determinant of cardiovascular morbidity and cancer survival. In this review we discuss cancer- induced disturbances of parenchymal, cellular, and mitochondrial function, which limit CRF and may be antagonized and attenuated through exercise training. We show the impact of CRF on cancer survival and its attenuating effects on cardiotoxicity of cancer-related treatment. Tailored exercise programs are not yet available for each tumor entity as several trials were performed in heterogeneous populations without adequate cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) prior to exercise prescription and with a wide variation of exercise modalities. There is emerging evidence that exercise may be a crucial pillar in cancer treatment and a tool to mitigate cardiotoxic treatment effects. We discuss modalities of aerobic exercise and resistance training and their potential to improve CRF in cancer patients and provide an example of a periodization model for exercise training in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Wernhart
- West German Heart- and Vascular Center, Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147, Essen, Germany.
| | - Tienush Rassaf
- West German Heart- and Vascular Center, Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
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Edbrooke L, Jones TL. Behavior Change Techniques for the Maintenance of Physical Activity in Cancer. JMIR Cancer 2023; 9:e53602. [PMID: 38015601 DOI: 10.2196/53602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ester et al report the findings from a 2-arm cluster randomized controlled trial nested within a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study, which involved a 12-week exercise and behavior change program for rural and remote Canadians (Exercise for Cancer to Enhance Living Well [EXCEL]). The addition of 23 weeks of app-based physical activity monitoring to the EXCEL program did not result in significant between-group differences in physical activity at 6 months. While several behavior change techniques were included in the initial 12-week intervention, additional techniques were embedded within the mobile app. However, there is currently a lack of evidence regarding how many and which behavior change techniques are the most effective for people with cancer and if these differ based on individual characteristics. Potentially, the use of the mobile app was not required in addition to the behavior change support delivered to both groups as part of the EXCEL program. Further research should involve participants who may be in most need of behavioral support, for example, those with lower levels of self-efficacy. Suggestions for future research to tailor behavior change support for people with cancer are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Edbrooke
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
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