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Measuring the Motor Aspect of Cancer-Related Fatigue using a Handheld Dynamometer
Published on: February 20, 2020
Physical Activity Interventions Using Digital Health Interventions for Cancer-Related Fatigue in People With a
Yeeun Kim1,2, Ka Ryeong Bae3, Ji Hyun Sung4
1College of Nursing, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|June 26, 2026
Summary
Digital health interventions effectively reduce cancer-related fatigue (CRF), especially when using wearable devices or lasting over 12 weeks. Further research is needed for diverse cancer populations and long-term effects.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Digital Health
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common and debilitating symptom impacting cancer survivors' quality of life.
- Traditional face-to-face exercise programs for CRF face accessibility barriers (physical, temporal, geographical).
- Digital health interventions (DHIs) present scalable alternatives for physical activity promotion, but evidence synthesis for CRF is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map digital health-based physical activity interventions for CRF management.
- To summarize DHI characteristics and CRF outcomes.
- To identify research gaps in DHI for CRF.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, PsycINFO up to December 2025.
- Inclusion of experimental studies on adults with cancer, digital exercise interventions, control groups, and fatigue outcomes.
- Adherence to Joanna Briggs Institute Manual and PRISMA-ScR standards; protocol registered in PROSPERO.
Main Results:
- 33 studies (3443 participants, 32 interventions) were included; most were RCTs.
- Mobile apps and wearable devices were primary DHI modalities.
- 18 interventions showed significant CRF reduction, mainly at immediate post-intervention; limited sustained benefit beyond 12 months.
Conclusions:
- DHIs, particularly wearable device-based and longer-duration interventions (>12 weeks), can reduce CRF.
- Evidence is concentrated in breast cancer populations; system-level integration and long-term effects require further investigation.
- Future research should focus on diverse populations, longer follow-ups, standardized measures, and scalable, integrated digital solutions.
