Participant Perceptions on a Fitbit and Facebook Intervention for Young Adult Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Purpose: Among cancer survivors, physical activity (PA) is associated with reductions in cancer recurrence, morbidity, and mortality. Most young adult (YA) survivors do not attain adequate PA. Digital modalities, specifically wearable activity monitors with a paired mobile application and private social media group for support offer a promising approach for promoting PA among YAs. We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial of this intervention. To evaluate its acceptability and perceptions of the intervention components, we conducted qualitative interviews with those in the intervention. The results of our interviews serve to refine future interventions to better serve this population. Methods: Semistructured qualitative interviews with 13 YA cancer survivors ages 20-39 who participated in the intervention assessed perceptions of the digital components of the study and buddy system of nominating a friend to participate in PA with the survivor. Analyses included a qualitative thematic analysis of the interview transcripts and coded interview segments into three predetermined categories: facilitators, limitations, and suggestions. Results: Participants described wide-ranging benefits of the intervention, citing the Fitbit device and buddy system as major motivators to engage in PA and reach goals. Most participants noted feelings of increased physical and emotional wellness. The most-cited limitation of the intervention was the automated text messages, which participants found impersonal. Suggestions for improvement included integrating more elements of competition and group challenges. Conclusion: This digital PA intervention was perceived as feasible and acceptable to YA cancer survivors and appears promising for promoting PA and improving long-term health and quality of life. Clinicaltrial.gov identifier number: NCT03233581; Date of registration: July 28, 2017.

The Pediatric Cancer Survivors' User Experiences With Digital Health Interventions

“…27,30,33 Besides the 2 studies that used qualitative approaches exclusively, 20,36 most studies (n = 14) nested the qualitative Cheng et al component in their overall design. Among these studies, 13 used individual interviews to collect data, 20,25,26,[28][29][30][31][32][33][35][36][37][38] 2 used focus groups, 19,34 and 1 used the participants' descriptive comments from the final stage of intervention session. 27 Thirteen studies described the data analysis approach: 5 used content analysis, 20,30,32,37,38 6 used thematic analysis, 19,26,31,[34][35][36] 1 used hermeneutic research data analysis, 33 and 1 used deductive analysis.…”

Five-year pediatric use of a digital wearable fitness device: lessons from a pilot case study

“… 14 The study also found that daily Fitbit step counts of over 12 500 steps would meet commonly promoted physical activity guidelines of over 60 min of activity per day. A similar study by Miropolsky et al 15 on 13 young adult cancer survivors between ages 20 and 39 years suggested a Fitbit device could provide major motivation to engage in physical activity.…”

Five Year Pediatric Use of a Digital Wearable Fitness Device: Lessons from a Pilot Case Study

“…The study also found that daily Fitbit step counts of over 12,500 steps would meet commonly promoted physical activity guidelines of over 60 minutes of activity per day. A similar study by Miropolsky, et al, on 13 young adult cancer survivors between ages 20 and 39 years suggested a Fitbit device could provide major motivation to engage in physical activity 13 .…”

“…Kerner, et al studied one-hundred participants from two schools using Fitbit devices for 8 weeks, along with the Fitbit app. They found using Fitbits can initially encourage adolescents (ages [13][14] to exercise, but the participants were eventually discouraged potentially because Fitbit might be setting unrealistic goals 14 . The non-personalized goal of 10,000 steps per day made participants feel unmotivated and lazy if they did not achieve that goal, which discouraged them from exercising 14 .…”