Digital Lifestyle Intervention in Aftercare
Development and evaluation of a mobile application focusing on physical activity, nutrition, and breathing/relaxation to promote health-related quality of life in lung cancer survivors.
Factsheet
- Schools involved School of Health Professions
- Institute(s) Academic-Practice-Partnership Insel Gruppe/ BFH
- Strategic thematic field Thematic field "Humane Digital Transformation"
- Funding organisation Others
- Duration (planned) 01.01.2023 - 31.12.2025
- Head of project Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Schmitt
-
Project staff
Manuel Weber
PD Dr. Anja Frei
Prof. Dr. Anja Raab
Prof. Dr. Milo Puhan -
Partner
Lungenliga Schweiz
Berner Reha Zentrum
Zürcher RehaZentren
Klinik und Pflegezentrum Barmelweid
Universität Zürich
Swiss Learning Health System (SLHS) - Keywords Lifestyle, Physical activity, Nutrition, Breathing, Relaxation, mHealth, Lung cancer, Quality of life
Situation
Lung cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in Switzerland. Lung cancer survivors suffer from reduced physical and psychological functioning as well as decreased overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL) due to cancer symptoms, cancer treatments, and comorbidities. HRQoL can be positively influenced by physical activity, adequate nutrition, and breathing/relaxation exercises. Frequently, there is insufficient support for integrating a healthy lifestyle into everyday life after discharge from rehabilitation or completion of cancer treatments (e.g., surgery). Through digitalization, new opportunities arise that can encourage cancer survivors to take responsibility for their health and lifestyle, thereby enhancing their quality of life. However, digital solutions lack target group-specific designs and combinations of several health-enhancing factors (synergistic effects).
Course of action
Within the project, a mobile application (app) for lung cancer survivors following rehabilitation or cancer treatment was developed. The main foci of the app were physical activity, nutrition, and breathing/relaxation. The development process followed a participatory approach (co-creation). The effectiveness of the app was examined in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Participating lung cancer survivors were randomly allocated to the intervention or control group. The intervention group used the app for 12 weeks. The control group received standard care. The primary outcome was HRQoL. Secondary outcomes included physical activity, appetite, risk of low protein intake, psychological distress, and cancer-related fatigue. In the intervention group, additional implementation-related factors such as the usability of the app, experiences with the intervention, and acceptability of the intervention were investigated.
Result
We enrolled 20 participants. After three months, both groups reported better overall quality of life. Participants who used the app improved their physical fitness more than those in standard care, as measured by a simple fitness test. They also reported more consistent increases in physical activity. Other outcomes, such as fatigue, appetite, or psychological well-being, did not differ between groups. Importantly, participants rated the app as easy to use, appropriate, and helpful.
Looking ahead
Because only a small number of people took part, these findings are preliminary. They provide useful insights but are not strong enough on their own to prove the programme works. However, this was the first trial to examine a digital lifestyle program specifically for lung cancer survivors. Our results suggest that such programmes are feasible, may improve physical fitness, and can offer structure and guidance for maintaining healthy habits. Larger studies are now needed to confirm these findings.
