Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Sep 7, 2025
Date Accepted: May 15, 2026
Date Submitted to PubMed: May 28, 2026
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Effects of physical activity interventions using digital health interventions on cancer-related fatigue in cancer survivors: scoping review
ABSTRACT
Background:
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common and persistent symptoms experienced by cancer survivors. Exercise has been proven effective in alleviating CRF, yet traditional face-to-face programs may not be accessible due to physical, temporal, or geographical barriers. Digital health interventions (DHIs) offer a scalable and accessible alternative to deliver exercise-based strategies.
Objective:
To examine the characteristics and effectiveness of digital health-based physical activity interventions on CRF.
Methods:
A systematic literature search was conducted across four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, PsycINFO) up to June 2024. Inclusion criteria comprised experimental studies involving adult cancer survivors, digital exercise interventions, a control group, and fatigue outcomes. The review followed NECA guidelines and PRISMA 2020 standards and was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022304285).
Results:
Twenty studies with a combined total of 2,657 participants were included. The majority (85%) were randomized controlled trials, with interventions delivered via mobile applications, web platforms, wearable devices, Xbox programs, and augmented reality. Breast cancer was the most commonly studied cancer type. Of the 18 analyzed interventions, 11 showed statistically significant reductions in CRF, particularly those using mobile apps or wearable devices. The most common fatigue measurement tool was the FACIT-F scale. Most interventions were classified as grade C based on the Evidence Standards Framework, focusing on treatment rather than self-management or cost-saving outcomes.
Conclusions:
Digital health-based physical activity interventions demonstrate significant potential for alleviating CRF in cancer survivors. However, current evidence is concentrated in breast cancer populations and mid-aged adults. Future research should expand to diverse cancer types, include multi-component interventions, and address digital health literacy to improve accessibility and equity in CRF management.
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Copyright
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