Efficacy of Mobile Health Care Application and Wearable Device in Improvement of Physical Performance in Colorectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

The use of mobile health care applications is a method increasing in use in the cancer care continuum from cancer prevention to cancer diagnosis, cancer treatment, and cancer survivorship. However, no clinical study has yet investigated the effects and feasibility of a smartphone application-based personalized exercise intervention for colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. In 75 colorectal cancer patients undergoing active chemotherapy, a rehabilitation program using a mobile health care application on a wearable device was effective in improving physical function and relieving cancer- and cancer treatment-related toxicities, regardless of the chemotherapy duration. Background: The use of a mobile health care application, the delivery of health care or health care-related services through the use of portable devices, to manage functional loss, treatment-related toxicities, and impaired quality of life in cancer patients during chemotherapy through supervised self-management has been increasing. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of comprehensive mobile health care using a tailored rehabilitation program for colorectal cancer patients undergoing active chemotherapy. Patients and Methods: A total of 102 colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy underwent 12 weeks of smartphone aftercare through provision of a mobile application and wearable device that included a rehabilitation exercise program and information on their disease and treatment. The grip strength test, 30-second chair stand test, 2-minute walk test, amount of physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire short-form), quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30), and nutritional status (Patient-generated Subjective Global Assessment) were assessed and measured at baseline, at mid-intervention (6 weeks), and at completion of the intervention (12 weeks). The rehabilitation exercise intensity was adjusted by the test results at every assessment and through real-time communication between the patients and clinicians. Results: Of the 102 patients, 75 completed all 12 weeks of the smartphone aftercare rehabilitation program. The lower extremity strength (P <.001) and cardiorespiratory endurance (P <.001) was significantly improved. Fatigue (P <.007) and nausea/vomiting (P <.040) symptoms were significantly relieved after the program. Conclusion: A tailored rehabilitation exercise program provided through a comprehensive mobile health care application was effective in improving patients’ physical capacity and treatment-related symptoms even during active chemotherapy.