outcomes of a text message, fitbit, and coaching intervention on physical activity maintenance among cancer survivors: a randomized control pilot trial

We aimed to determine the effect of a health coach, text message, and fitbit intervention on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (mvpa) maintenance in cancer survivors following a supervised exercise program compared to provision of a fitbit alone. participants were recruited during the last month of an exercise-based oncology rehabilitation program and randomly assigned to the full intervention (n = 34) or fitbit-only control groups (n = 32). in total, 59 cancer survivors completed the program (81% female; mean age 61.4 ± 9.0). group by time differences in accelerometer-measured mvpa was assessed using linear mixed models. additionally, we examined mean weekly fitbit-derived mvpa levels. intervention participants maintained weekly mvpa from pre- (295.7 ± 139.6) to post-intervention (322.0 ± 199.4; p = 0.37), whereas those in the fitbit-only group had a significant decrease in mvpa (305.5 ± 181.1 pre vs 250.7 ± 166.5 post; p = 0.03, effect size 0.57). the intervention participants maintained recommended levels of mpva for health benefits during the 8-week intervention, whereas the fitbit-only control group did not. the findings demonstrate that a remote intervention delivered through health coaching, text messages, and fitbit can promote maintenance of mvpa after a structured program for cancer survivors. however, use of a fitbit alone was not sufficient to prevent expected decline in mvpa. additional research is warranted to examine long-term impacts and efficacy in a more diverse population of cancer survivors. use of a wearable tracker alone not be sufficient for exercise maintenance among cancer survivors after transition to an independent program. additional planning for relapse prevention is recommended.