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A guide to assessing physical activity using accelerometry in cancer patients
J M Broderick1, J Ryan, D M O'Donnell
1School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Science, St. James's Hospital, St. James's Street, Dublin 8, Ireland, julie.broderick@tcd.ie.
Summary
Physical activity (PA) is crucial in cancer care, aiding recovery and reducing recurrence risk. Accelerometers offer a precise, feasible method for measuring PA in cancer research, improving clinical trial data accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Physical activity (PA) is linked to reduced cancer incidence and recurrence.
- PA is a key metric in cancer rehabilitation and palliative care, reflecting patient health status.
- Accurate PA measurement is complex and vital for evaluating interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of physical activity in cancer care.
- To provide an overview of accelerometer technology for PA measurement.
- To discuss technical and practical considerations for using accelerometers in cancer clinical trials.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on PA measurement in cancer.
- Analysis of different PA assessment tools: laboratory-based, self-report, pedometers, and accelerometers.
- Focus on the capabilities and limitations of accelerometry.
Main Results:
- Laboratory methods offer precision but lack clinical feasibility.
- Self-report tools are simple but potentially inaccurate.
- Accelerometers provide objective, multi-dimensional PA data (intensity, duration, type).
Conclusions:
- Accelerometry presents a balanced approach to PA measurement in cancer studies, offering precision and feasibility.
- Wider adoption of accelerometry in cancer clinical trials is recommended.
- Addressing technical and practical aspects will enhance the utility of accelerometers.
