Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
04:24
A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Published on: April 19, 2019
12.3K
Physical Activity Telecoaching in Post-Surgical NSCLC Patients: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study Exploring Feasibility,
Eva Arents1, Sarah Haesevoets2,3, Fien Hermans1,4
1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Cancers
|September 13, 2025
Summary
Physical activity telecoaching is safe and acceptable for non-small cell lung cancer patients post-surgery. While feasible, increasing physical activity remains a challenge, requiring further research into long-term effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Digital Health
Background:
- Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients often reduce physical activity (PA) after surgery.
- PA telecoaching shows potential for supporting post-surgical activity but lacks robust evidence in NSCLC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the acceptability, feasibility, safety, and usage of automated and manual PA telecoaching programs.
- To evaluate these programs in patients recovering from NSCLC surgery.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, single-blind study comparing an 8-week automated coaching program (ACP) via app versus a manual coaching program (MCP) with phone calls.
- Both groups utilized activity trackers for step monitoring and feedback.
- Primary outcomes: acceptability, feasibility, safety, usage; Secondary outcomes: PA, exercise capacity, symptoms, quality of life.
Main Results:
- Nineteen NSCLC patients (68 ± 6 years) participated.
- The intervention was well-accepted with high activity tracker adherence; no adverse events occurred.
- The ACP required significantly less coach time (25 ± 14 min) than MCP (54 ± 15 min).
Conclusions:
- PA telecoaching is feasible, acceptable, and safe for post-NSCLC surgery patients.
- Automated coaching requires less staff time.
- Effectiveness in increasing PA needs further investigation in larger, longer trials.
