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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Oct 3:27:e75839.
doi: 10.2196/75839.

A Smartphone App (WExercise) to Promote Physical Activity Among Cancer Survivors: Randomized Controlled Trial

Denise Shuk Ting Cheung  1 , Tiffany Wan Han Kwok  1 , Sam Liu  2 , Ryan E Rhodes  2 , Pui Hing Chau  1 , Chi-Leung Chiang  3 , Anne Wing-Mui Lee  3 , Chia-Chin Lin  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A Smartphone App (WExercise) to Promote Physical Activity Among Cancer Survivors: Randomized Controlled Trial

Denise Shuk Ting Cheung et al. J Med Internet Res. .

Abstract

Background: Cancer survivors face unique health challenges that may be addressed through physical activity (PA) interventions. Technology-based tools provide innovative, resource-efficient alternatives to traditional approaches, delivering PA interventions.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a smartphone app (WExercise) in promoting PA among cancer survivors.

Methods: This study was an assessor-blind, 2-arm randomized controlled trial. The intervention group used WExercise, which consisted of automated weekly lessons developed based on the multi-process action control (M-PAC) framework. The control group received written PA recommendations. Ninety-eight physically inactive cancer survivors who had completed curative treatment were recruited from an oncology clinic and the community. Outcomes included exercise behavior (primary), exercise capacity, quality of life, and M-PAC constructs.

Results: The majority (81/98, 82.7%) of participants remained in the study. The proportion of participants completing at least 75% of lessons was 69.44%. For exercise behavior, mixed findings were identified: the intervention group had a significantly greater increase in self-reported moderate-to-vigorous PA compared to the control group at postintervention (mean difference in change 89.02 minutes, 95% CI 34.87-143.16) and 3 months postintervention (mean difference in change 49.37 minutes, 95% CI 8.63-90.10; group × time interaction; P=.003), while no significant effect on ActiGraph-measured moderate-to-vigorous PA was observed at postintervention (mean difference in change -8.54 minutes, 95% CI -36.19 to 19.11) and 3 months postintervention (mean difference in change 2.56 minutes, 95% CI -27.29 to 32.41; group × time interaction; P=.74). WExercise was also effective in increasing cancer survivors' exercise capacity but not their quality of life or M-PAC constructs.

Conclusions: WExercise demonstrated a significant effect on increasing self-reported PA, but this was not corroborated with ActiGraph-measured PA. The application may be a useful addition for clinicians aiming to promote physical activity in people with cancer.

Keywords: M-PAC; behavior change; cancer survivor; mHealth; physical activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) flow diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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