Does a personalised mHealth intervention improve health-behaviour in cancer survivors? A pilot RCT

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of a personalised mHealth lifestyle self-management intervention on physical and psychological outcomes for a sub-group of cancer survivors with increased health risks related to lifestyle behaviours. Methods: 120 cancer survivors with a BMI over 25 will be randomly assigned to the control (n=60) or intervention (n=60). The intervention group will receive a self-management programme to facilitate personalised goal-setting for dietary and physical behaviour. Objective measures of health will be collected via FitBit on physical activity, calorific usage and sleep quality. Data on anthropometric, physiological, and psychological measures will also be collected at baseline, 3 months and 6 months follow-up. Data will be analysed using a 2x3 mixed ANOVA. Expected results: It is predicted that, relative to standard medical care, an mHealth intervention will significantly increase physical activity, and that participants in the intervention group will have significantly better physical and psychological health than the control group at 3 and 6 month follow up. Current stage: Participant recruitment is underway and the intervention is scheduled for May 2017. Discussion: A significant proportion of a growing number of cancer survivors are overweight, having implications for long-term health outcomes, including increased risk of subsequent and secondary cancers. There is a need to identify interventions which can improve physical and psychological outcomes that are practical in modern oncology care. The findings of this research will contribute to the limited research on the efficacy of mHealth technologies to improve health outcomes in cancer survivors.