mHealth Interventions to Address Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review

Selina Khoo, Najihah Mohbin, Payam Ansari, Mahfoodha Al-Kitani and Andre Matthias Müller
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Selina Khoo: Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Najihah Mohbin: Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Payam Ansari: DCU Business School, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
Mahfoodha Al-Kitani: Physical Education and Sports Sciences Department, College of Education, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
Andre Matthias Müller: Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-20

Abstract: This review aimed to identify, evaluate, and synthesize the scientific literature on mobile health (mHealth) interventions to promote physical activity (PA) or reduce sedentary behavior (SB) in cancer survivors. We searched six databases from 2000 to 13 April 2020 for controlled and non-controlled trials published in any language. We conducted best evidence syntheses on controlled trials to assess the strength of the evidence. All 31 interventions included in this review measured PA outcomes, with 10 of them also evaluating SB outcomes. Most study participants were adults/older adults with various cancer types. The majority ( n = 25) of studies implemented multicomponent interventions, with activity trackers being the most commonly used mHealth technology. There is strong evidence for mHealth interventions, including personal contact components, in increasing moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA among cancer survivors. However, there is inconclusive evidence to support mHealth interventions in increasing total activity and step counts. There is inconclusive evidence on SB potentially due to the limited number of studies. mHealth interventions that include personal contact components are likely more effective in increasing PA than mHealth interventions without such components. Future research should address social factors in mHealth interventions for PA and SB in cancer survivors.

Keywords: fitness tracker; exercise; mobile health; mobile application; health behavior (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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