The impact of mHealth self-management intervention on health outcomes in cancer survivors.

Background: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of a personalised mHealth lifestyle self-management intervention to increase physical activity (PA) in cancer survivors with increased health risks related to lifestyle behaviours. Methods: 123 cancer survivors (BMI > 25) were randomly assigned to the control (n=61) or intervention (n=62). Objective measures of health behaviour (i.e., PA and sleep) are collected via Fitbit. Clinical and psychological measures are assessed at baseline and 3 months. The intervention group attended a 4-hour tailored information session with physiotherapist, dietician, and clinical psychologist designed to support self-management of health behaviour. Participants engaged in personalised goal-setting with self-monitoring and feedback via mobile device for increasing PA. Findings: Baseline data revealed no significant differences between groups. Initial analysis indicated that participants have a positive response to personalised goals and improvements in physical and psychological health at 3-month follow-up. Discussion: A significant proportion of a growing number of cancer survivors are overweight, having implications for long-term health outcomes, including increased risk of subsequent and secondary cancers. There is a need to identify interventions which can improve physical and psychological outcomes that are practical in modern oncology care. Furthermore, mHealth interventions demonstrate potential for positive health-behaviour change, but there is little evidence for the efficacy of mHealth to improve health outcomes in cancer survivors