Abstract
Background:There are multiple benefits to being physically active after a cancer diagnosis, but many people living with and beyond cancer (LWBC) require support to increase their activity levels. App-based interventions offer a promising platform for intervention delivery. This trial aims to pilot a theory-driven, app-based intervention that promotes brisk walking among people LWBC.
Aims: The primary aim of the pilot is to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of study procedures before conducting a larger randomised controlled trial (RCT).
Methods: This is an individually randomised, two-armed pilot RCT. Patients with localised or metastatic breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer, who are aged 16 years or over will be recruited from a single hospital site in South Yorkshire. The intervention includes an app designed to encourage brisk walking (Active 10) supplemented with behavioural support in the form of two brief telephone/video calls, an information leaflet and walking planners. The primary outcomes will be feasibility and acceptability of the study procedures (e.g. recruitment/retention rate, acceptability of randomisation/intervention/outcome assessments). Demographic and medicalcharacteristics will be collected at baseline, through self-report and hospital records. Secondary outcomes for the pilot (assessed at 0 and 3 months) include accelerometer-measured and self-reported physical activity, as well as several other behavioural/quality of life outcomes. Qualitative interviews will explore experiences of participating or reasons for declining to participate. Parameters for the intended primary outcome measure (accelerometer measured average daily minutes of brisk walking (>100 steps/minute)) will inform a sample size calculation for the future RCT and a preliminary economic evaluation will be conducted.
Results/Conclusion:To date, 39 participants have been recruited out of the target pilot sample of 90.This pilot study will inform the design of a larger RCT to investigate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of this intervention in people LWBC.