Promise of Wearable Physical Activity Monitors in Oncology Practice

Abstract

Commercially available physical activity monitors provide clinicians an opportunity to obtain oncology patient health measures to an unprecedented degree. These devices can provide objective and quantifiable measures of physical activity, which are not subject to errors or bias of self-reporting or shorter duration of formal testing. Prior work on so-called quantified-self data was based on older-generation, research-grade accelerometers, which laid the foundation for consumer-based physical activity monitoring devices to be validated as a feasible and reliable tool in patients with cancer. Physical activity monitors are being used in chronic conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. Differing demographics, compounded with higher symptom and treatment burdens in patients with cancer, imply that additional work is needed to understand the unique strengths and weaknesses of physical activity monitors in this population. Oncology programs can systematically implement these tools into their workflows in an adaptable and iterative manner. Translating large amounts of data collected from an individual physical activity monitoring device into clinically relevant information requires sophisticated data compilation and reduction. In this article, we summarize the characteristics of older- and newer-generation physical activity monitors, review the validation of physical activity monitors with respect to health-related quality-of-life assessments, and describe the current role of these devices for the practicing oncologist. We also highlight the challenges and next steps needed for physical activity monitors to provide relevant information that can change the current state of oncology practice.

Barriers to physical activity: a study of academic and community cancer survivors with pain

“…Since previous research has shown that women are more likely to be ruminators [30] and are influenced by peer support, health care providers may want to provide female cancer survivors with motivational support and symptom management strategies to help promote PA after cancer. Female cancer survivors may respond better to nurse-led, group-based, or mobile text-based PA interventions than their male counterparts [31]. Additionally, emerging research is showing that wearable PA monitors have potential to serve as a motivational tool and their use has been found to improve PA levels among cancer survivors [31–34].…”

“…Female cancer survivors may respond better to nurse-led, group-based, or mobile text-based PA interventions than their male counterparts [31]. Additionally, emerging research is showing that wearable PA monitors have potential to serve as a motivational tool and their use has been found to improve PA levels among cancer survivors [31–34]. Clinical care teams may want to encourage sedentary female survivors to use PA monitors as a way to self-monitor and track PA levels throughout the day.…”

Free-Living Physical Activity Monitoring in Adult US Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Using a Consumer Wearable Device

“…As for the impact at point of care, a recent study by Birkeland et al [13] illustrated that wearable device-determined step count was able to determine treatment effect in patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction. The specific role of activity monitors at the point of clinical care has been reported in oncology, COPD, and other chronic medical conditions [8].…”

“…Studies have shown that activity monitors can detect differences in mobility between ostensibly healthy elderly or adult populations relative to elderly with reduced mobility [6]. With the advancement in wearable technology, devices can passively and objectively measure high-resolution mobility data, as opposed to subjective questionnaires and observations which are subject to bias of self-reporting or shorter duration of formal testing [7,8]. This has led to increasing research on consumer activity monitors.…”

Functional Recovery After Lung Resection: A Before and After Prospective Cohort Study of Activity

“…The clinical applicability of perioperative activity monitoring remains unknown at this early stage of research [36]. Nonetheless, commercial activity monitors for surgical patients could yield potentially important information at minimal cost and no increased risk [20,37].…”