1.
The wearable activity technology and action-planning trial in cancer survivors: Physical activity maintenance post-intervention.
Hardcastle, SJ, Maxwell-Smith, C, Hince, D, Bulsara, MK, Boyle, T, Tan, P, Levitt, M, Salama, P, Mohan, GRKA, Salfinger, S, et al
Journal of science and medicine in sport. 2021;(9):902-907
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The study objective was to assess whether moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) change in cancer survivors (n = 68, mean age = 64 years) was maintained 12-weeks following the Wearable Activity Technology and Action Planning (WATAAP) intervention. Secondary aims were to assess the effects of the intervention on blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI), and to explore group differences between baseline and 24-weeks. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. METHODS MVPA and sedentary behaviour were assessed using an accelerometer at baseline, the end of the intervention (12-weeks), and at 24-weeks. Generalised linear mixed models with random effects were used to examine between-group and within-group changes in MVPA, sedentary behaviour, BP and BMI. RESULTS MVPA was significantly higher in the intervention group compared with the control group at 24-weeks following adjustment for known confounders (141.4 min/wk. (95% CI = 9.1 to 273.8), p = 0.036). At 24-weeks participants in the intervention group had maintained their increased levels of MVPA (change from 12-weeks = 8.8 min/wk.; 95% CI = -43 to 61; p = 0.74). The reduction in MVPA in the control group over the first 12-weeks was also maintained at 24-weeks (5.4 min/wk.; 95% CI = -3.6 to 4.6; p = 0.80). Secondary outcomes did not differ between groups at 24-weeks. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest distance-based interventions using wearable technology produce increases in MVPA that endure at least 12-weeks after the intervention is completed.
2.
A randomized controlled trial of WATAAP to promote physical activity in colorectal and endometrial cancer survivors.
Maxwell-Smith, C, Hince, D, Cohen, PA, Bulsara, MK, Boyle, T, Platell, C, Tan, P, Levitt, M, Salama, P, Tan, J, et al
Psycho-oncology. 2019;(7):1420-1429
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to ascertain whether wearable technology coupled with action planning was effective in increasing physical activity (PA) in colorectal and endometrial cancer survivors at cardiovascular risk. METHODS Sixty-eight survivors who had cardiovascular risk factors and were insufficiently active were randomized to intervention and control arms. Intervention participants were given a wearable tracker for 12 weeks, two group sessions, and a support phone call. Participants in the control arm received print materials describing PA guidelines. Assessments at baseline and 12 weeks measured triaxial and uniaxial estimates of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary behaviour, blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS The intervention group significantly increased MVPA by 45 min/wk compared with a reduction of 21 min/wk in the control group. Group by time interactions were significant for minutes of MVPA (F1,126 = 5.14, P = 0.025). For those with diastolic hypertension, there was a significant group by time interaction (F1,66 = 4.89, P = 0.031) with a net reduction of 9.89 mm Hg in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS Significant improvements in MVPA were observed following the intervention. The results display promise for the use of pragmatic, low-intensity interventions using wearable technology.