Key result
A 12-week physical activity intervention using a Fitbit and text messages was feasible and acceptable, but did not significantly increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity compared to usual care.
Why the study?
Physical activity reduces colorectal cancer recurrence and mortality, but interventions are needed to increase physical activity in colorectal cancer survivors.
Does a 12-week physical activity intervention with a Fitbit and text messages increase physical activity in colorectal cancer survivors?
RCT (n=42)
Open-label
1:1
No
Does a 12-week physical activity intervention with a Fitbit and text messages increase physical activity in colorectal cancer survivors?
Mean Difference: 13.1 (95% CI -13.5–39.7)
Absolute Event Rate: 46.6% vs 54.5%
A 12-week physical activity intervention using a Fitbit and text messages was feasible and acceptable in colorectal cancer survivors, though it did not significantly increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity compared to usual care in this pilot study.
Does not support routine use to boost activity in colorectal cancer survivors; leaves open efficacy of refined interventions in larger trials.
BACKGROUND: Over 1.3 million people live with colorectal cancer in the United States. Physical activity is associated with lower risk of colorectal cancer recurrence and mortality. Interventions are needed to increase physical activity in colorectal cancer survivors. METHODS: We conducted a 2-arm non-blinded pilot randomized controlled trial at the University of California, San Francisco among 42 individuals who had completed curative-intent treatment for colorectal cancer to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week (84 days) physical activity intervention using a Fitbit Flex™ and daily text messages. Participants were randomized 1:1 to receive the intervention with print educational materials or print educational materials alone. We explored the impact of the intervention versus usual care on physical activity using ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers pre-/post-intervention. RESULTS: We screened 406 individuals and randomized 42 to intervention (n = 21) or control (n = 21) groups. During the 12-week study, the intervention arm wore their Fitbits a median of 74 days [88% of days in study period, interquartile range: 23-83 days] and responded to a median of 34 (out of 46) text messages that asked for a reply (interquartile range: 13-38 text messages). Among the 16 intervention participants who completed the feedback survey, the majority (88%) reported that the intervention motivated them to exercise and that they were satisfied with their experience. No statistically significant difference in change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was found from baseline to 12 weeks between arms. CONCLUSION: A 12-week physical activity intervention with a Fitbit and text messages was feasible and acceptable among colorectal cancer patients after curative treatment. Larger studies are needed to determine whether the intervention increases physical activity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT02966054 . Registered 17 November 2016, retrospectively registered.
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Blarigan et al. (2019) conducted an RCT in Colorectal cancer (n=42). Fitbit Flex and daily text messages vs. Print educational materials alone was evaluated on Change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) from baseline to 12 weeks (MD 13.1, 95% CI -13.5 to 39.7). A 12-week physical activity intervention using a Fitbit and text messages was feasible and acceptable, but did not significantly increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity compared to usual care.
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