Feasibility, User Acceptance, and Outcomes of Using a Cancer Prehabilitation App for Exercise: Pilot Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Digital Health
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Cancer prehabilitation programs are effective and increasingly utilize technology to overcome access and resource limitations.
• A novel mobile application was developed to support cancer prehabilitation, integrating with Singapore's Health Buddy app and offering exercise videos.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility, user acceptance, safety, and outcomes of a new mobile app within a home-based, multimodal cancer prehabilitation program.
• To assess the app's impact on functional outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study analyzed 63 cancer patients in a prehabilitation program, comparing app users (n=25) with non-app users (n=16) and those prescribed (n=41) versus not prescribed (n=22) the app.
• Functional outcomes (6MWT, STS, TUG, HADS) and compliance rates were measured. User satisfaction was assessed via surveys.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in preoperative functional improvements were found between app users and nonusers, or between prescribed and non-prescribed groups.
• App users demonstrated high compliance rates (≥80%) and reported high satisfaction (>90%) with the app's ease of use and reliability.
• Patients not prescribed the app had significantly lower baseline functional scores and higher frailty scores.

Conclusions:

• Singapore's first smartphone app for cancer prehabilitation exercise prescription is acceptable, feasible, and safe.
• Findings suggest implications for patient selection and technology readiness, particularly for older adults.
• Further research should focus on enhancing technology adoption and long-term effectiveness.