Moving to an active lifestyle in cancer survivors: a context-aware personalised mHealth approach

Summary

The survival rate after cancer has increased due to improved detection and treatment, but many survivors face challenges such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, and pain. Adopting a more active lifestyle can reduce these symptoms, yet only a small percentage of cancer survivors adapts this lifestyle.

We will develop a personalised context-aware mHealth intervention using the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA). The intervention will be evidence-based, theory-based, and person-based. Its innovative nature lies in its three levels of personalisation: cancer-related factors (e.g. treatment side-effects), individual factors (e.g. PA preferences), and environmental factors (e.g. weather). The intervention will consist of an app integrated with a smartwatch, enabling automatic activity tracking. The development process will be guided by a program theory, ensuring transparency and providing insights into the mechanisms of change. To evaluate effectiveness, we will use single-case designs and realist interviews to capture individual experiences and challenges. Stakeholders, including cancer survivors and healthcare providers, will be engaged throughout the process to ensure the intervention aligns with the needs of the target population.

Theme(s): Oncology, Treatment