Digital intervention for increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour in cancer survivors: a trial within the Cancer Prevention Study-3 cohort

Abstract

Objective The aims of this study, which uses a trial within a cohort design, were to determine the efficacy of a web-based intervention to increase moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) and decrease sedentary behaviour in cancer survivors. Methods Participants (n=415) in this trial were randomised 2:1 to an interactive physical activity website or a static balance and flexibility control website. Participants provided accelerometer data at baseline and at 3 (M3), 6 (M6) and 12 months (M12). Linear mixed models were used to investigate changes in MVPA and sedentary time overall, stratified by website use, and among participants who were inactive at baseline (<150 min MVPA/week). Results Participants were mostly women (n=391, 94%) with an average age of 63 (SD=12) years. In intent-to-treat models, there were no statistically significant between-group differences in MVPA or sedentary time at any time point. However, participants who frequently used the physical activity website (ie, once per week for ≥80% of the study period) were significantly more active at M3 (mean (95% CI); 44 (40 to 48) min/day intervention vs 35 (30 to 39) min/day control), though differences between groups were no longer meaningfully different at M6 or M12. Similarly, among participants who were inactive at baseline, the intervention resulted in an additional 50 min of MVPA per week compared with the control at M3. Conclusion While the intervention was not effective in the overall cohort, it increased MVPA in the short term among cancer survivors who frequently used the website or were inactive at baseline. Trial registration number [NCT05356988][1]. Data are available upon reasonable request. Data are available from the American Cancer Society by following the ACS Data Access Procedures () for researchers who meet the criteria for access to confidential data. Please email cohort.data@cancer.org to inquire about access. [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT05356988&atom=%2Fbjsports%2Fearly%2F2025%2F06%2F02%2Fbjsports-2024-109332.atom