JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Achieving adequate levels of physical activity (PA) is especially important for cancer survivors to mitigate against the side effects of cancer and its treatment as well as other health benefits. Electronic Health (eHealth) based PA interventions may offer feasible alternatives to traditionally delivered programs and optimize physical recovery after a cancer diagnosis, but perspectives of cancer survivors on this new delivery medium have not been extensively explored.

Objective:

This study aimed to explore cancer survivors’ perspectives of eHealth enabled PA interventions to inform the design of a future intervention among cancer survivors.

Methods:

The study took place in a designated cancer centre in Dublin, Ireland. A preceding questionnaire based study was conducted primarily to establish interest in participating in subsequent eHealth based studies. A follow on focus group study was conducted to explore the concept of eHealth based PA interventions for cancer survivors. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results:

The questionnaire based study (n=102) indicated a high level of interest in participating in follow-on eHealth based studies. The focus group study (n=23) indicated that despite some trepidation about ability to engage with technology, overall positivity was expressed towards the concept of eHealth based PA interventions. Four themes were generated; 1. ‘’cancer related factors that influence PA’’, including PA as a barrier and as a motivating factor, 2. ‘’education needs regarding technology enhanced PA’’ emphasised the need for integrated information about PA and increased technical literacy, 3. ‘’ to influence PA behaviour’’ incorporated PA as a motivating factor, 4. ‘’support needs to enable engagement with technology enhanced PA’’ highlighted the importance of personalised human interaction in tandem with technology and social support.

Conclusions:

Qualitative research at the pre-trial phase adds value to the design of a complex intervention and is especially useful in an area such as eHealth. The findings highlighted interest participating in eHealth focused research as well as barriers, training needs and key design features which can be applied to optimise the design of future eHealth-based PA interventions in cancer.