1. Digital Rehabilitation Program for Breast Cancer Survivors on Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy: A Feasibility Study.
- Author
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Chan, Wing-Lok, Wong, Yat-Lam, Tai, Yin-Ling, Liu, Michelle, Yun, Bryan, Zhang, Yuning, Hou, Holly Li-Yu, Kwong, Dora, Lee, Victor Ho-Fun, and Lam, Wendy Wing-Tak
- Subjects
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PREVENTION of mental depression , *MOBILE apps , *PATIENT compliance , *HEALTH self-care , *RESEARCH funding , *SATISFACTION , *DIGITAL health , *BREAST tumors , *EVALUATION of human services programs , *PILOT projects , *CLINICAL trials , *BODY composition , *CANCER patients , *HOSPITALS , *WEARABLE technology , *EXERCISE intensity , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *ADJUVANT chemotherapy , *LONGITUDINAL method , *HORMONE therapy , *QUALITY of life , *PSYCHOLOGICAL stress , *DRUGS , *CANCER patient rehabilitation , *PHYSICAL activity , *COGNITION ,ANXIETY prevention - Abstract
Simple Summary: This study explored the effectiveness of the "THRIVE" mobile app-based rehabilitation program (Version 2.2.1) for breast cancer survivors. Fifty participants, with a median age of 53, used the mobile app and Fitbit for 16 weeks to monitor their exercise, medication, and self-care. The program demonstrated a 70.4% recruitment rate, no dropouts, and a high adherence rate of 74%, indicating strong user engagement. It was found to be safe with no serious side effects. While physical activity levels did not significantly increase, there were statistically significant improvements in cognitive function, future perspective, arm symptoms, depression, and anxiety. All participants adhered to their medication schedules with the app's reminders. The findings suggested that the "THRIVE" program is a feasible and well-accepted tool that can support the overall recovery and well-being of breast cancer survivors. These findings highlighted the potential for further studies on app-based interventions to help this population. Background: Breast cancer survivors often face physical and psychological challenges, including weight gain, metabolic syndrome, and reduced quality of life. To address these concerns, a mobile app-based rehabilitation program called "THRIVE" was developed to improve physical activity, medication adherence, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in this population. Methods: This prospective, single-arm study assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of the "THRIVE" app among breast cancer survivors undergoing hormonal therapy. Participants were recruited from Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong between December 2022 and June 2023. Eligible survivors had completed treatment within the last five years or had stable advanced disease on hormonal therapy. Participants monitored their exercise, medication adherence, and self-care via the app and a Fitbit activity tracker for 16 weeks. Primary outcomes included recruitment, dropout, adherence rates, and safety. Secondary outcomes, measured at baseline and week 16, included physical activity intensity, HRQoL, psychological stress, body composition, and app satisfaction. Results: A total of 50 participants, with a median age of 53 years, completed the study. The recruitment rate was 70.4% with no dropouts. The adherence rate, measured by completing exercises recommended in the mobile app at least three times per week, was 74%. No severe adverse events were reported. While physical activity intensity showed no significant changes from baseline to week 16 (p = 0.24), cognitive function (p = 0.021), future perspective (p = 0.044), arm symptoms (p = 0.042), depression (p = 0.01), and anxiety (p = 0.004) improved. All participants reported perfect medication compliance (100%). Satisfaction with the app was high. Conclusions: This mobile app-based rehabilitation program demonstrated good feasibility, with satisfactory recruitment, adherence, and safety, providing valuable insights into future definitive studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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