Effects of self-monitoring physical activity with a smartphone application combined with physiotherapy coaching in patients with cancer: a randomised controlled trial (SMART-COACH trial)

PURPOSE: Regardless of the compelling evidence showing that facility-based exercise effectively improves cancer treatment outcome, exercise programs are confronted with low participation and adherence rates. This study aimed to investigate a low-threshold modality to improve self-reported leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). METHODS: In this single-centre, prospective randomised controlled trial, patients living with or beyond cancer were randomised to use the smartphone application "RunKeeper" to self-monitor LTPA with remote physiotherapy coaching for 12 weeks or usual care. The primary endpoint was between-group difference in LTPA at 12 weeks. Secondary endpoints were LTPA measured at 6 and 26 weeks, adhering to the national physical activity guideline, quality of life, cancer-specific functioning and symptoms, self-efficacy, and exercise motivation. RESULTS: In total, 63 patients with a median age of 46.0 range [34.0 to 57.0] were included. No significant between-group differences were found in LTPA. Significant between-group differences in favour of the group that self-monitored LTPA were found in emotional functioning (P = .044), insomnia (P = .029) (week 12) and self-efficacy (P = .040) (week 26). CONCLUSIONS: Self-monitoring LTPA with RunKeeper and remote physiotherapy coaching did not significantly improve LTPA compared to usual care. The intervention did positively affect self-efficacy, emotional functioning, and insomnia. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Further research is needed to study the effectiveness of self-monitoring LTPA with remote physiotherapy coaching in a more homogeneous sample of patients with cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: (NCT03128333).