JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Cancer poses a substantial global health burden, and cancer survivors often experience substantial impairments in quality of life (QOL). Research has shown that physical activity (PA) plays a critical role in improving both physical and psychosocial well-being among cancer survivors. In recent years, telehealth-based interventions have been increasingly adopted to facilitate and promote PA engagement in individuals with cancer. However, the effectiveness of these interventions may be influenced by a variety of mediating and moderating factors. To date, no study has systematically and comprehensively identified the range of mediators and moderators reported.

Objective:

This scoping review protocol aims to describe the methodological framework that will be used to systematically identify, map and synthesize the evidence on mediators and moderators of telerehealth interventions designed to improv PA levels among cancer survivors.

Methods:

This scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the methodological guidance establish by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Eligible participants will include adult patients aged 18 years or older, with a confirmed cancer diagnosis, regardless of whether they have undergone cancer-related treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, or immunotherapy. The primary intervention must include any form of telehealth. The primery outcomes of interest are the mediators and moderators that influence the effectiveness of telehealth interventions in improving PA levels among cancer survivors. Data will be systematically extracted and summarized in tabular format accompanied by a descriptive narrative synthesis.

Results:

The literature search was completed on April 1, 2026, and the study is currently in the screening stage, which is expected to be completed in May. Data extraction and analysis are anticipated to be finalized in July. The results findings will subsequently be finalized and sunmitted for publication in September.

Conclusions:

This study aims to provide a comprehensive and explicit synthesis of the mediators and moderators influencing the effectiveness of telehealth interventions, clarify the mechanisms through which these factors shape intervention outcomes, and generate evidence to support the optimization, development and future design of telehealth-based interventions.