JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The collection of self-reported physical activity using validated questionnaires have known bias and measurement error.

Objective:

Accelerometry, an objective measure of daily activity increases the rigor and accuracy of activity measurement. Here, we describe methodology and related protocols for accelerometry data collection and quality assurance using the ActiGraph GT9X accelerometer data collection in a convenience sample of ovarian cancer survivors enrolled in GOG/NRG 0225, a 24-month randomized, controlled trial of diet and physical activity intervention versus attention control.

Methods:

From July 2015-December 2019, accelerometers were mailed on 1,337 separate occasions to 580 study participants at four time points (baseline, 6-, 12- and 24-months), for wear during seven consecutive days. Study staff contacted participants by telephone to confirm availability for wear, review instructions and procedures regarding return of accelerometers, and assisted with any technology concerns.

Results:

We evaluated factors associated with wear compliance including activity tracking, use of a mobile application, and demographic characteristics with chi-squared tests and logistic regression. Compliant data, defined ≥4 consecutive days with ≥10 hours daily wear time, exceeded 90% at all study time points. Activity tracking, but no other characteristics, were significantly associated with compliant data at all time points (P<.0001). This implementation of data collection through accelerometry provided highly compliant and usable activity data in women who recently completed treatment for ovarian cancer.

Conclusions:

The high compliance and data quality associated with this protocol suggests it could be disseminated to support researchers seeking to collect robust objective activity data in cancer survivors residing in a wide geographic area. Clinical Trial: Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00719303.