Search

mHealth 24/7 is een dienst die diabetespatiënten helpt om op eenvoudige wijze toezicht te houden op hun eigen gezondheid. mDiabetes 24/7 is een prototype app binnen de dienst mHealth 24/7. Op dit moment kunnen patiënten met het prototype van de app hun bloedsuikerwaardes, een eetdagboek en de hoeveelheid toegediende insuline bijhouden. mHealth 24/7 heeft de wens geformuleerd om haar informatievoorziening aan diabetespatiënten verder uit te breiden, door gepersonaliseerd inzicht te geven in de oorzaak van stijgingen en dalingen van hun bloedsuikerwaarden. Meer informatie stelt de patiënt in staat om beter gemotiveerde maatregelen te nemen en stimuleert therapietrouw waarmee later complicaties kunnen worden voorkomen. Dit verbetert de kwaliteit van leven en vermindert kosten. In het project is gerealiseerd dat data uit een activity tracker en omgevingstemperatuur ingelezen wordt in de app en wordt geïntegreerd met bestaande data zoals bloedsuikerwaarde. Daarnaast kunnen patiënten handmatig aangeven hoe ze zich voelen. Patiënten krijgen daarmee inzicht in het effect van activiteit, omgevingstemperatuur en stemming op fluctuaties in bloedsuikerwaardes. In een pilot met 25 proefpersonen is de technische werking van de verrijkte app getest evenals de functionaliteit. Er is aangetoond dat de app werkt en dat voor gebruikers de verrijking van de informatie in de app met hartslag, omgevingstemperatuur en stemming van toegevoegde waarde is. Wel blijkt dat een app zoals deze foutloos en realtime moet werken en de gebruiksinterface dusdanig moet werken, dat de gebruikers er uitsluitend gemak van ondervinden. Diabetes is een arbeidsintensieve ziekte en nog meer werk is ongewenst! Als in een volgende pilot meer data kan worden verzameld, kan worden gewerkt aan het voorspellen van fluctuaties in bloedsuikerwaardes waardoor een patiënt ook voortijdig gewaarschuwd kan worden. Vanuit verschillende marktpartijen zoals ziekenhuizen en zorgverzekeraars is interesse getoond voor het project. Gezamenlijk gaan deze partijen aanspraak doen op tijdelijke financiering vanuit de “Beleidsregel Innovatie Kleinschalige Experimenten.

mHealth 24/7 is een dienst die diabetespatiënten helpt om op eenvoudige wijze toezicht te houden op hun eigen gezondheid. mDiabetes 24/7 is een prototype app binnen de dienst mHealth 24/7. Op dit moment kunnen patiënten met het prototype van de app hun bloedsuikerwaardes, een eetdagboek en de hoeveelheid toegediende insuline bijhouden. mHealth 24/7 heeft de wens geformuleerd om haar informatievoorziening aan diabetespatiënten verder uit te breiden, door gepersonaliseerd inzicht te geven in de oorzaak van stijgingen en dalingen van hun bloedsuikerwaarden. Meer informatie stelt de patiënt in staat om beter gemotiveerde maatregelen te nemen en stimuleert therapietrouw waarmee later complicaties kunnen worden voorkomen. Dit verbetert de kwaliteit van leven en vermindert kosten. In het project is gerealiseerd dat data uit een activity tracker en omgevingstemperatuur ingelezen wordt in de app en wordt geïntegreerd met bestaande data zoals bloedsuikerwaarde. Daarnaast kunnen patiënten handmatig aangeven hoe ze zich voelen. Patiënten krijgen daarmee inzicht in het effect van activiteit, omgevingstemperatuur en stemming op fluctuaties in bloedsuikerwaardes. In een pilot met 25 proefpersonen is de technische werking van de verrijkte app getest evenals de functionaliteit. Er is aangetoond dat de app werkt en dat voor gebruikers de verrijking van de informatie in de app met hartslag, omgevingstemperatuur en stemming van toegevoegde waarde is. Wel blijkt dat een app zoals deze foutloos en realtime moet werken en de gebruiksinterface dusdanig moet werken, dat de gebruikers er uitsluitend gemak van ondervinden. Diabetes is een arbeidsintensieve ziekte en nog meer werk is ongewenst! Als in een volgende pilot meer data kan worden verzameld, kan worden gewerkt aan het voorspellen van fluctuaties in bloedsuikerwaardes waardoor een patiënt ook voortijdig gewaarschuwd kan worden. Vanuit verschillende marktpartijen zoals ziekenhuizen en zorgverzekeraars is interesse getoond voor het project. Gezamenlijk gaan deze partijen aanspraak doen op tijdelijke financiering vanuit de “Beleidsregel Innovatie Kleinschalige Experimenten.

The purpose of the project was to increase the daily activities and exercises of single-living older people with one or more limitations in functioning after a period of rehabilitation.

Patients with chronic rheumatic diseases often have insufficient physical activity level, whereas participation in regular physical activity is a key component of their treatment. Many barriers limit participation in regular physical activity, and strategies to increase physical activity levels in this population show very modest effectiveness. In this thesis, we focused on 1) identifying and evaluating the determinants of physical activity and 2) evaluating strategies to increase the level of activity in patients with chronic rheumatic diseases. The first axis of the thesis allowed us to develop and validate a questionnaire of 10 barriers and facilitators to physical activity for patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis. This questionnaire can be used in clinical practice to identify the main determinants of physical activity and to build programs promoting the maintenance of an adapted activity with a better chance of adherence over the long term. The observation of medication and physical activity adherence behavior in 152 patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis allowed us to observe a lack of correlation between the two. This shows that the lifestyle determinants of physical activity are probably more complex than those of medication. The 2nd axis of this thesis allowed us to observe through a systematic review that the use of activity trackers resulted in a benefit of 1500 steps per day. The use of these devices is encouraged given their effectiveness and low cost of use, although their long-term effectiveness remains to be demonstrated. In a final study, we observed that in patients with significant barriers to physical activity, the use of a supervised multidisciplinary strategy adapted to the participants' availability provided a health benefit. Future strategies will benefit from combining supervised interventions and technological devices for greater effectiveness. The current challenge of physical activity in rheumatology is no longer to demonstrate its relevance, but to identify strategies that allow it to be maintained over the long term. In the future, other strategies should be studied to promote long-term maintenance of physical activity, such as the use of smartphone applications or motivational interviewing. Prescription of physical activity will also benefit from being developed through the training of prescribing physicians and health professionals in the use of proven techniques., Les patients atteints de maladies rhumatologiques chroniques ont souvent une activité physique insuffisante alors que la participation à une activité physique régulière est un point-clé de leur traitement. De nombreux freins empêchent cette activité et les stratégies visant à augmenter durablement le niveau d’activité physique dans cette population ont une efficacité très modeste. Dans cette thèse, nous nous sommes attachés à 1) identifier et évaluer les déterminants de l’activité physique et 2) évaluer des stratégies permettant d’augmenter le niveau d’activité chez les patients atteints de pathologies rhumatologiques chroniques. Le premier axe de la thèse nous a permis de développer et valider un questionnaire de 10 barrières et facilitateurs à l’activité physique pour les patients atteints de rhumatismes inflammatoires chroniques. Ce questionnaire peut être utilisé en pratique clinique pour identifier les principaux déterminants de l’activité physique et pour construire des programmes favorisant le maintien d’une activité adaptée avec une meilleure chance d’adhésion sur le long cours. L’observation du comportement d’adhésion au médicament et à l’activité physique chez 152 patients atteints de rhumatismes inflammatoires chroniques nous a permis de constater une absence de corrélation entre les deux. Ceci démontre que les déterminants de l’activité physique conditionnant le mode de vie sont surement plus complexes que ceux de la prise de médicament. Le 2ème axe de cette thèse nous a permis de constater par le biais d’une revue systématique que l’utilisation de traceurs d’activité entrainait un bénéfice de 1500 pas par jour. L’utilisation de ces dispositifs est encouragée au vu de leur efficacité et du faible coût d’utilisation, bien que leur efficacité à long terme reste à démontrer. Une dernière étude nous a permis d’observer que chez les patients présentant des freins importants à l’activité physique, l’utilisation d’une stratégie supervisée multidisciplinaire et adaptée aux disponibilités des participants apportait un bénéfice sur la santé. Les futures stratégies gagneront à combiner les interventions supervisées et les dispositifs technologiques pour plus d’efficacité. L’enjeu actuel de l’activité physique en rhumatologie n’est plus de démontrer sa pertinence mais d’identifier les stratégies permettant son maintien sur le long cours. À l’avenir, d’autres stratégies gagneront à être étudiées pour favoriser le maintien de l’activité physique, telles de l’utilisation d’applications smartphone ou l’entretien motivationnel. La prescription d’activité physique gagnera également à être développée via la formation des médecins prescripteurs et des professionnels de santé à l’utilisation de techniques éprouvées.

Background The collection of self-reported physical activity using validated questionnaires has known bias and measurement error. Objective Accelerometry, an objective measure of daily activity, increases the rigor and accuracy of physical activity measurements. Here, we describe the methodology and related protocols for accelerometry data collection and quality assurance using the Actigraph GT9X accelerometer data collection in a convenience sample of ovarian cancer survivors enrolled in GOG/NRG 0225, a 24-month randomized controlled trial of diet and physical activity intervention versus attention control. Methods From July 2015 to December 2019, accelerometers were mailed on 1337 separate occasions to 580 study participants to wear at 4 time points (baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months) for 7 consecutive days. Study staff contacted participants via telephone to confirm their availability to wear the accelerometers and reviewed instructions and procedures regarding the return of the accelerometers and assisted with any technology concerns. Results We evaluated factors associated with wear compliance, including activity tracking, use of a mobile app, and demographic characteristics with chi-square tests and logistic regression. Compliant data, defined as ≥4 consecutive days with ≥10 hours daily wear time, exceeded 90% at all study time points. Activity tracking, but no other characteristics, was significantly associated with compliant data at all time points (P Conclusions The high compliance and data quality associated with this protocol suggest that it could be disseminated to support researchers who seek to collect robust objective activity data in cancer survivors residing in a wide geographic area.

Background Lack of physical activity (PA) is a risk factor for death and non-communicable disease. Despite this, more than one fourth of adults worldwide do not follow PA guidelines. As part of a feasibility study to test a complex intervention for increasing PA, we included a consumer-based activity tracker (AT) as a tool to measure PA outcomes and to track heart rate during exercise sessions. The aim of the present study was to identify factors that increase wear time when using a consumer-based AT for monitoring of participants in clinical research. Methods Sixteen participants aged 55–74 years, with obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and elevated cardiovascular risk were recruited to a 12-month feasibility study. Participants wore a Polar M430 AT to collect continuous PA data during a six-month intervention followed by 6 months of follow-up. We performed quantitative wear time analysis, tested the validity of the AT, and completed two rounds of qualitative interviews to investigate how individual wear-time was linked to participant responses. Results From 1 year of tracking, mean number of valid wear days were 292 (SD = 86), i.e. 80%. The Polar M430 provides acceptable measurements for total energy expenditure. Motivations for increased wear time were that participants were asked to wear it and the ability to track PA progress. Perceived usefulness included time keeping, heart rate- and sleep tracking, becoming more conscious about day-to-day activity, and improved understanding of which activity types were more effective for energy expenditure. Sources of AT annoyance were measurement inaccuracies and limited instruction for use. Suggestions for improvement were that the AT was big, unattractive, and complicated to use. Conclusions Adherence to wearing a consumer-based AT was high. Results indicate that it is feasible to use a consumer-based AT to measure PA over a longer period. Potential success factors for increased wear time includes adequate instruction for AT use, allowing participants to choose different AT designs, and using trackers with accurate measurements. To identify accurate trackers, AT validation studies in the target cohort may be needed. Trial registration U.S. National Library of Medicine, Clinical Trial registry: NCT03807323; Registered 16 September 2019 – Retrospectively registered.

Background Physical activity trackers (PATs) such as apps and wearable devices (eg, sports watches, heart rate monitors) are increasingly being used by young adolescents. Despite the potential of PATs to help monitor and improve moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) behaviors, there is a lack of research that confirms an association between PAT ownership or use and physical activity behaviors at the population level. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the ownership and use of PATs in youth and their associations with physical activity behaviors, including daily MVPA, sports club membership, and active travel, in 2 nationally representative samples of young adolescent males and females in Finland and Ireland. Methods Comparable data were gathered in the 2018 Finnish School-aged Physical Activity (F-SPA 2018, n=3311) and the 2018 Irish Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity (CSPPA 2018, n=4797) studies. A cluster analysis was performed to obtain the patterns of PAT ownership and usage by adolescents (age, 11-15 years). Four similar clusters were identified across Finnish and Irish adolescents: (1) no PATs, (2) PAT owners, (3) app users, and (4) wearable device users. Adjusted binary logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate how PAT clusters were associated with physical activity behaviors, including daily MVPA, membership of sports clubs, and active travel, after stratification by gender. Results The proportion of app ownership among Finnish adolescents (2038/3311, 61.6%) was almost double that of their Irish counterparts (1738/4797, 36.2%). Despite these differences, the clustering patterns of PATs were similar between the 2 countries. App users were more likely to take part in daily MVPA (males, odds ratio [OR] 1.27, 95% CI 1.04-1.55; females, OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.20-1.85) and be members of sports clubs (males, OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.15-1.62; females, OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.07-1.50) compared to the no PATs cluster, after adjusting for country, age, family affluence, and disabilities. These associations, after the same adjustments, were even stronger for wearable device users to participate in daily MVPA (males, OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.49-2.23; females, OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.80-2.82) and be members of sports clubs (males, OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.55-2.88; females, OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.71-2.52). Significant associations were observed between male users of wearable devices and taking part in active travel behavior (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.04-1.86). Conclusions Although Finnish adolescents report more ownership of PATs than Irish adolescents, the patterns of use and ownership remain similar among the cohorts. The findings of our study show that physical activity behaviors were positively associated with wearable device users and app users. These findings were similar between males and females. Given the cross-sectional nature of this data, the relationship between using apps or wearable devices and enhancing physical activity behaviors requires further investigation.

Background Self-regulation for weight loss requires regular self-monitoring of weight, but the frequency of weight tracking commonly declines over time. Objective This study aimed to investigate whether it is a decline in weight loss or a drop in motivation to lose weight (using physical activity tracking as a proxy) that may be prompting a stop in weight monitoring. Methods We analyzed weight and physical activity data from 1605 Withings Health Mate app users, who had set a weight loss goal and stopped tracking their weight for at least six weeks after a minimum of 16 weeks of continuous tracking. Mixed effects models compared weight change, average daily steps, and physical activity tracking frequency between a 4-week period of continuous tracking and a 4-week period preceding the stop in weight tracking. Additional mixed effects models investigated subsequent changes in physical activity data during 4 weeks of the 6-week long stop in weight tracking. Results People lost weight during continuous tracking (mean −0.47 kg, SD 1.73) but gained weight preceding the stop in weight tracking (mean 0.25 kg, SD 1.62; difference 0.71 kg; 95% CI 0.60 to 0.81). Average daily steps (beta=−220 daily steps per time period; 95% CI −320 to −120) and physical activity tracking frequency (beta=−3.4 days per time period; 95% CI −3.8 to −3.1) significantly declined from the continuous tracking to the pre-stop period. From pre-stop to post-stop, physical activity tracking frequency further decreased (beta=−6.6 days per time period; 95% CI −7.12 to −6.16), whereas daily step count on the day’s activity was measured increased (beta=110 daily steps per time period; 95% CI 50 to 170). Conclusions In the weeks before people stop tracking their weight, their physical activity and physical activity monitoring frequency decline. At the same time, weight increases, suggesting that declining motivation for weight control and difficulties with making use of negative weight feedback might explain why people stop tracking their weight. The increase in daily steps but decrease in physical activity tracking frequency post-stop might result from selective measurement of more active days.

Background Physical inactivity is associated with worse asthma outcomes. African American women experience disparities in both physical inactivity and asthma relative to their white counterparts. We conducted a modified evidence-based walking intervention supplemented with mobile health (mHealth) technologies to increase physical activity (PA). Objective This study aimed to assess the preliminary feasibility of a 7-week walking intervention modified for African American women with asthma. Methods African American women with suboptimally controlled asthma were identified from a health system serving low-income minorities. At a baseline data collection visit, participants performed spirometry and incremental shuttle walk test, completed questionnaires, and were given an accelerometer to wear for 1 week. The intervention comprised an informational study manual and 3 in-person group sessions over 7 weeks, led by a nurse interventionist, in a community setting. The supplemental mHealth tools included a wearable activity tracker device (Fitbit Charge HR) and one-way text messages related to PA and asthma 3 times per week. A secure Web-based research platform, iCardia, was used to obtain Fitbit data in real time (wear time, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA] and sedentary time) and send text messages. The feasibility of the intervention was assessed in the domains of recruitment capability, acceptability (adherence, retention, engagement, text messaging, acceptability, complaints, and concerns), and preliminary outcome effects on PA behavior (change in steps, duration, and intensity). Results We approached 22 women, of whom 10 were eligible; 7 consented, enrolled and completed the study. Group session attendance was 71% (5/7), 86% (6/7), and 86% (6/7), respectively, across the 3 sessions. All participants completed evaluations at each group session. The women reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the program (eg, location, time, and materials). None of them had concerns about using, charging, or syncing the Fitbit device and app. Participants wore their Fitbit device for at least 10 hours per day in 44 out of the 49 intervention days. There was an increase in Fitbit-measured MVPA from week 1 (19 min/week, SD 14 min/week) to the last week of intervention (22 min/week, SD 12 min/week; Cohen d=0.24, 95% CI 0.1 to 6.4). A slight decrease in step count was observed from week 1 (8926 steps/day, SD 2156 steps/day) to the last week of intervention (8517 steps/day, SD 1612 steps/day; Cohen d=−0.21, 95% CI −876.9 to 58.9). Conclusions The initial feasibility results of a 7-week community-based walking intervention tailored for African American women with asthma and supplemented with mHealth tools are promising. Modifications to recruitment, retention, and the intervention itself are needed. These findings support the need to conduct a further modified pilot trial to collect additional data on feasibility and estimate the efficacy of the intervention on asthma and PA outcomes.

Background:. To determine the feasibility of using wearables in patients undergoing radical cystectomy to monitor postoperative heart rate and activity and attempt to correlate these factors to complications and readmissions. Materials and methods:. We conducted a prospective study of 20 patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between June 2017 and March 2018. Each patient was provided with a Garmin Vívofit heart rate (HR) activity tracker and instructed to wear it on their wrist for 30 days postoperatively. Heart rate, steps, and sleep data were collected during this time. Patients were called at 10-day intervals and surveyed for complications and device compliance. Univariable mixed effects logistic regression models were used to compare daily activity tracker measures with occurrence of an adverse event. Odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and p-values were reported. Results:. Median age was 65 (interquartile range 61–74) years. Patients had usable data for a median of 59.3% (interquartile range 25–71.7%) of the time. Five patients experienced a postoperative event (1 readmission for sepsis from urinary tract source, 1 inpatient rapid response called for tachycardic event, 3 unscheduled visits related to dehydration), where event data was recorded over a total of 17 days. Higher step count was associated with reduced odds of an adverse event (odds ratio 0.31, 95% confidence interval 0.10–0.98 per 1000 steps, p = 0.047). Conclusions:. Postoperative activity and heart rate monitoring in cystectomy patients is feasible though current wearables are not well suited for this task.

Background There is limited knowledge regarding the potential benefits of physical activity in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Objective The Advanced stage Breast cancer and Lifestyle Exercise (ABLE) Trial aimed to assess the feasibility of a physical activity intervention in women with metastatic breast cancer and to explore the effects of physical activity on functional, psychological, and clinical parameters. Methods The ABLE Trial was a single-arm, 6-month intervention study with a home-based, unsupervised, and personalized walking program using an activity tracker. At baseline and 6 months, we assessed anthropometrics, functional fitness, physical activity level, sedentary behavior, quality of life, fatigue, and tumor progression. Paired proportions were compared using the McNemar test and changes of parameters during the intervention were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, the Mann-Whitney test, and Spearman rank correlations. Results Overall, 49 participants (mean age 55 years; recruitment rate 94%) were enrolled and 96% adhered to the exercise prescription (attrition rate 2%). Statistically significant improvements in the 6-minute walking distance test (+7%, P Conclusions The high recruitment and adherence rates suggest the willingness of patients with metastatic breast cancer to participate in a physical activity program. The beneficial outcomes regarding physical fitness and anthropometry of this unsupervised physical activity program may encourage these patients to maintain a physically active lifestyle. Future randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes are warranted. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03148886; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03148886

To evaluate the impact of Health interventions promoting physical activity, researchers typically conduct pre- and post-assessments using accelerometers. While aggregated metrics such as daily counts, daily steps and time spent at various intensity levels are commonly used, very few studies exploit the richness of the data often collected with a very fine granularity. We investigate the benefit of a deeper analysis of wrist accelerometry data to understand physical activity behaviours throughout the day, as well as how these may change overtime. To analyse physical activity behaviour changes, we propose a methodology that extracts bouts of physical activity characterised by their activity levels and duration, and uses these as features to cluster participants’ daily and hourly behaviours. We then compare these clusters to assess changes following an intervention promoting physical activity in children. We demonstrate that this approach provides a more insightful analysis of the physical activity behaviours because it highlights the nature and the timing of behaviour changes, when present. We illustrate this methodology using data from research-grade activity trackers (GENEActiv) and explain the insights discovered in the context of an intervention aimed at educating school children about healthy behaviours.

The spread of wearable technologies is paving the way for the mass-scale adoption of self-tracking instruments, which are progressively integrating into different social practices. Among these, sport seems to be a promising domain in which Personal Informatics tools can support individuals in performing their activities and in achieving their situated goals. In this article, we conducted semi-structured interviews with amateur and elite athletes to explore what they seek in their trackers, how such instruments may impact on their “mind”, by affecting their motivation and attention during workouts and races, and how sports data are intertwined with other information pertaining to their lifestyle. On the basis of these findings we discussed three themes that may be relevant for Personal Informatics, also proposing a series of implications for design that may help researchers in designing self-tracking tools for sport.

Background:Physical activity trackers (PATs) such as apps and wearable devices (eg, sports watches, heart rate monitors) are increasingly being used by young adolescents. Despite the potential of PATs to help monitor and improve moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) behaviors, there is a lack of research that confirms an association between PAT ownership or use and physical activity behaviors at the population level.Objective:The purpose of this study was to examine the ownership and use of PATs in youth and their associations with physical activity behaviors, including daily MVPA, sports club membership, and active travel, in 2 nationally representative samples of young adolescent males and females in Finland and Ireland.Methods:Comparable data were gathered in the 2018 Finnish School-aged Physical Activity (F-SPA 2018, n=3311) and the 2018 Irish Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity (CSPPA 2018, n=4797) studies. A cluster analysis was performed to obtain the patterns of PAT ownership and usage by adolescents (age, 11-15 years). Four similar clusters were identified across Finnish and Irish adolescents: (1) no PATs, (2) PAT owners, (3) app users, and (4) wearable device users. Adjusted binary logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate how PAT clusters were associated with physical activity behaviors, including daily MVPA, membership of sports clubs, and active travel, after stratification by gender.Results:The proportion of app ownership among Finnish adolescents (2038/3311, 61.6%) was almost double that of their Irish counterparts (1738/4797, 36.2%). Despite these differences, the clustering patterns of PATs were similar between the 2 countries. App users were more likely to take part in daily MVPA (males, odds ratio [OR] 1.27, 95% CI 1.04-1.55; females, OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.20-1.85) and be members of sports clubs (males, OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.15-1.62; females, OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.07-1.50) compared to the no PATs cluster, after adjusting for country, age, family affluence, and disabilities. These associations, after the same adjustments, were even stronger for wearable device users to participate in daily MVPA (males, OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.49-2.23; females, OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.80-2.82) and be members of sports clubs (males, OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.55-2.88; females, OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.71-2.52). Significant associations were observed between male users of wearable devices and taking part in active travel behavior (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.04-1.86).Conclusions:Although Finnish adolescents report more ownership of PATs than Irish adolescents, the patterns of use and ownership remain similar among the cohorts. The findings of our study show that physical activity behaviors were positively associated with wearable device users and app users. These findings were similar between males and females. Given the cross-sectional nature of this data, the relationship between using apps or wearable devices and enhancing physical activity behaviors requires further investigation.

Background: Physical activity is positively associated with survival and quality of life among breast cancer survivors. Despite these benefits, the majority of breast cancer survivors are insufficiently active. The potential health benefits of reducing sedentary behaviour (sitting time) in this population have not been extensively investigated. The ACTIVATE Trial will evaluate the efficacy of an intervention that combines wearable technology (the Garmin Vivofit2®) with traditional behavioural change approaches to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour performed by breast cancer survivors. Methods/design: This randomised controlled trial includes inactive, postmenopausal women diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer who have completed their primary treatment. Participants are randomly assigned to the primary intervention group (Garmin Vivofit2®; behavioural feedback and goal setting session; and, five telephone-delivered health coaching sessions) or to the wait-list control group. The primary intervention is delivered over a 12-week period. The second 12-week period comprises a maintenance phase for the primary intervention group, and an abridged intervention (Garmin Vivofit2® only) for the wait-list control group. Moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviour are assessed by accelerometry at baseline (T1), end of intervention (T2), and end of maintenance phase (T3). Discussion: The ACTIVATE Trial is one of the first studies to incorporate wearable technology into an intervention for cancer survivors. If the use of wearable technology (in combination with behaviour change strategies, or alone) proves efficacious, it may become an inexpensive and sustainable addition to the health promotion strategies available to health care providers in the cancer survivorship context. Trial registration: ACTRN12616000175471. Refereed/Peer-reviewed