Self-monitoring and Reminder Texts to Increase Physical Activity After Cancer: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (Smart Pace)

Self-monitoring and Reminder Texts to Increase Physical Activity After Cancer: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Self-monitoring and Reminder Texts to Increase Physical Activity After Cancer: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Epidemiologic data consistently indicate that colorectal cancer survivors can improve their quality-of-life and prognosis by engaging in physical activity. This study aims to build on this epidemiologic work and translate the findings to inform and change patient behavior. The specific aims are to: (1) Develop a mobile technology physical activity intervention among colorectal cancer patients who have completed therapy. (2) Conduct a 3-month pilot randomized controlled trial utilizing mobile technology to increase physical activity among 40 men and women who have completed standard cytotoxic chemotherapy for primary stage I-III colorectal cancer at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Participants in the intervention arm will receive a Fitbit® for self-monitoring, interactive text messages, and educational print materials; participants in the control arm will receive educational print materials at baseline and will be given a Fitbit® after completion of the 3-mo. follow-up assessment.

Patients will be provided with a booklet from the UCSF Dept. of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science: "Moving Through Cancer: A Guide to Exercise for Cancer Survivors". The intervention group will be given a Fitbit® Flex to wear throughout the study and will receive daily text messages to support increased physical activity.

Patients in the control arm will be provided with a booklet at baseline from the UCSF Dept. of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science: "Moving Through Cancer: A Guide to Exercise for Cancer Survivors".

Print materials on exercise after cancer, Fitbit Flex for 12 weeks, and daily Text Messages for 12 weeks

Inclusion Criteria: stage I-III colon or rectal adenocarcinoma completed standard cytotoxic chemotherapy if medically indicated be considered disease-free at baseline be able to speak and read English have no contra-indication to moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise be able to walk unassisted be inactive at baseline (<150 min/week of moderate physical activity) have access to a mobile phone be able to navigate websites, fill out forms on the web, communicate by email, and have regular access to the internet

Chan H, Van Loon K, Kenfield SA, Chan JM, Mitchell E, Zhang L, Paciorek A, Joseph G, Laffan A, Atreya C, Fukuoka Y, Miaskowski C, Meyerhardt JA, Venook AP, Van Blarigan EL. Quality of life of colorectal cancer survivors participating in a pilot randomized controlled trial of physical activity trackers and daily text messages. Support Care Cancer. 2022 May;30(5):4557-4564. doi: 10.1007/s00520-022-06870-5. Epub 2022 Feb 4.

Van Blarigan EL, Chan H, Van Loon K, Kenfield SA, Chan JM, Mitchell E, Zhang L, Paciorek A, Joseph G, Laffan A, Atreya CE, Fukuoka Y, Miaskowski C, Meyerhardt JA, Venook AP. Self-monitoring and reminder text messages to increase physical activity in colorectal cancer survivors (Smart Pace): a pilot randomized controlled trial. BMC Cancer. 2019 Mar 11;19(1):218. doi: 10.1186/s12885-019-5427-5.