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Effects of personalized exercise prescriptions and social media delivered through m-Health on cancer survivors' physical activity and quality of life [with consumer summary]
Gao Z, Ryu S, Zhou W, Adams K, Hassan M, Zhang R, Blaes A, Wolfson J, Sun J
Journal of Sport and Health Science 2023 Nov;12(6):705-714
clinical trial
6/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: Yes; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of a multi-component m-health intervention (wearable, apps, and social media) on cancer survivors' physical activity (PA), quality of life, and PA determinants compared to exercise prescription only, social media only, and attention control conditions. METHODS: A total of 126 cancer survivors (age 60.37 +/- 7.41 years, mean +/- SD) were recruited from within the U.S. The study duration was 6 months and participants were randomly placed into 4 groups. All participants received a Fitbit tracker and were instructed to install its companion app to monitor their daily PA. They (1) received previously established weekly personalized exercise prescriptions via email, (2) received weekly Facebook health education and interacted with one another, (3) received both Conditions 1 and 2, or (4) were part of the control condition, meaning they adopted usual care. Cancer survivors' PA daily steps, quality of life (ie, physical health and mental health), and PA determinants (eg, self-efficacy, social support) were measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. RESULTS: The final sample size included 123 cancer survivors. The results revealed only the multi-component condition had greater improvements in PA daily steps than the control condition post-intervention (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 368 to 2951; p < 0.05). Similarly, those in the multi-component condition had significantly greater increased physical health than the control condition (95% CI -0.41 to -0.01; p < 0.05) over time. In addition, the social media condition had significantly greater increased perceived social support than the control condition (95% CI 0.01 to 0.93; p < 0.05). No other significant differences on outcomes were identified. CONCLUSION: The study findings suggested that the implementation of a multi-component m-health intervention had positive effects on cancer survivors' PA steps and physical health. Also, offering social media intervention has the potential to improve cancer survivors' perceived social support.

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