Feasibility, User Acceptance, and Outcomes of Using a Cancer Prehabilitation App for Exercise: Pilot Cohort Study
Abstract BackgroundThe efficacy of cancer prehabilitation programs is supported by international reviews and meta-analyses. Technology has been deployed in cancer prehabilitation to address challenges such as access or limited resources. This study evaluated the feasibility, u...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JMIR Publications
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | JMIR Formative Research |
| Online Access: | https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e64427 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832584116649852928 |
|---|---|
| author | Fuquan Zhang Deepali Bang Christine Alejandro Visperas Mon Hnin Tun San San Tay |
| author_facet | Fuquan Zhang Deepali Bang Christine Alejandro Visperas Mon Hnin Tun San San Tay |
| author_sort | Fuquan Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Abstract
BackgroundThe efficacy of cancer prehabilitation programs is supported by international reviews and meta-analyses. Technology has been deployed in cancer prehabilitation to address challenges such as access or limited resources. This study evaluated the feasibility, user acceptance, safety, and program outcomes of a newly developed mobile app for cancer prehabilitation. The app integrates with Singapore’s existing health care mobile app, Health Buddy, and provides instructional videos for prescribed exercises.
ObjectiveThe objectives of this study were to investigate the feasibility, user experience, safety, and outcomes of a mobile app for cancer prehabilitation within a hospital-associated, home-based, multimodal cancer prehabilitation program.
MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed the records of patients enrolled in the cancer prehabilitation program from September 1, 2022, to March 30, 2023. Patients who participated in the prehabilitation program (n=63) were categorized into 2 groups: those prescribed the app (n=41) and those who were not (n=22). There was further subgroup analysis of those who were prescribed: app users (n=25) versus those who were non-app users (n=16). Demographics, Fried Frailty Phenotype, prehabilitation duration, app use, and functional outcome measures (6-minute walk test [6MWT], 30-second sit-to-stand test [STS], timed up and go test [TUG], and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]) were collected. Compliance was determined by the completion of prescribed exercises and the accuracy of executing these exercises, with a high compliance rate considered to be at 80% or more. Baseline characteristics and preoperative outcomes were compared between the groups. User satisfaction was assessed through surveys among app users (n=25).
ResultsAmong 63 patients, 41 (65.1%) patients were prescribed the app, of which 22 (34.9%) patients were users. No significant differences in preoperative functional improvements were observed between app users and nonusers (6MWT: PPPPPPPP
ConclusionsThis preliminary study demonstrates the acceptability, feasibility, and safety of Singapore’s first smartphone app for exercise prescription in cancer prehabilitation. Lower baseline functional outcome measures and a higher mean frailty score in the unprescribed group have implications for the selection process and patient participation. Further studies should include strategies to enhance patients’ readiness for technology, sustainability, and effectiveness in older patients. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-516dd10426b54d5ba10a445edf2b60bd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2561-326X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Formative Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-516dd10426b54d5ba10a445edf2b60bd2025-01-27T16:02:11ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Formative Research2561-326X2025-01-019e64427e6442710.2196/64427Feasibility, User Acceptance, and Outcomes of Using a Cancer Prehabilitation App for Exercise: Pilot Cohort StudyFuquan Zhanghttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-8753-7761Deepali Banghttp://orcid.org/0009-0006-6876-2716Christine Alejandro Visperashttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-8763-0678Mon Hnin Tunhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-5428-4825San San Tayhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-6623-6265 Abstract BackgroundThe efficacy of cancer prehabilitation programs is supported by international reviews and meta-analyses. Technology has been deployed in cancer prehabilitation to address challenges such as access or limited resources. This study evaluated the feasibility, user acceptance, safety, and program outcomes of a newly developed mobile app for cancer prehabilitation. The app integrates with Singapore’s existing health care mobile app, Health Buddy, and provides instructional videos for prescribed exercises. ObjectiveThe objectives of this study were to investigate the feasibility, user experience, safety, and outcomes of a mobile app for cancer prehabilitation within a hospital-associated, home-based, multimodal cancer prehabilitation program. MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed the records of patients enrolled in the cancer prehabilitation program from September 1, 2022, to March 30, 2023. Patients who participated in the prehabilitation program (n=63) were categorized into 2 groups: those prescribed the app (n=41) and those who were not (n=22). There was further subgroup analysis of those who were prescribed: app users (n=25) versus those who were non-app users (n=16). Demographics, Fried Frailty Phenotype, prehabilitation duration, app use, and functional outcome measures (6-minute walk test [6MWT], 30-second sit-to-stand test [STS], timed up and go test [TUG], and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]) were collected. Compliance was determined by the completion of prescribed exercises and the accuracy of executing these exercises, with a high compliance rate considered to be at 80% or more. Baseline characteristics and preoperative outcomes were compared between the groups. User satisfaction was assessed through surveys among app users (n=25). ResultsAmong 63 patients, 41 (65.1%) patients were prescribed the app, of which 22 (34.9%) patients were users. No significant differences in preoperative functional improvements were observed between app users and nonusers (6MWT: PPPPPPPP ConclusionsThis preliminary study demonstrates the acceptability, feasibility, and safety of Singapore’s first smartphone app for exercise prescription in cancer prehabilitation. Lower baseline functional outcome measures and a higher mean frailty score in the unprescribed group have implications for the selection process and patient participation. Further studies should include strategies to enhance patients’ readiness for technology, sustainability, and effectiveness in older patients.https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e64427 |
| spellingShingle | Fuquan Zhang Deepali Bang Christine Alejandro Visperas Mon Hnin Tun San San Tay Feasibility, User Acceptance, and Outcomes of Using a Cancer Prehabilitation App for Exercise: Pilot Cohort Study JMIR Formative Research |
| title | Feasibility, User Acceptance, and Outcomes of Using a Cancer Prehabilitation App for Exercise: Pilot Cohort Study |
| title_full | Feasibility, User Acceptance, and Outcomes of Using a Cancer Prehabilitation App for Exercise: Pilot Cohort Study |
| title_fullStr | Feasibility, User Acceptance, and Outcomes of Using a Cancer Prehabilitation App for Exercise: Pilot Cohort Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Feasibility, User Acceptance, and Outcomes of Using a Cancer Prehabilitation App for Exercise: Pilot Cohort Study |
| title_short | Feasibility, User Acceptance, and Outcomes of Using a Cancer Prehabilitation App for Exercise: Pilot Cohort Study |
| title_sort | feasibility user acceptance and outcomes of using a cancer prehabilitation app for exercise pilot cohort study |
| url | https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e64427 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT fuquanzhang feasibilityuseracceptanceandoutcomesofusingacancerprehabilitationappforexercisepilotcohortstudy AT deepalibang feasibilityuseracceptanceandoutcomesofusingacancerprehabilitationappforexercisepilotcohortstudy AT christinealejandrovisperas feasibilityuseracceptanceandoutcomesofusingacancerprehabilitationappforexercisepilotcohortstudy AT monhnintun feasibilityuseracceptanceandoutcomesofusingacancerprehabilitationappforexercisepilotcohortstudy AT sansantay feasibilityuseracceptanceandoutcomesofusingacancerprehabilitationappforexercisepilotcohortstudy |