Patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and radical cystectomy (RC) are often older, frail and deconditioned, leaving them with limited reserve to endure the demands of treatment. As a result, improving physical fitness in this population remains a critical need.
Two emerging means to do so include the implementation of exercise programs pre- and postsurgery (i.e. (p)rehabilitation), and the use of digital health technologies (i.e. Fitbit®, Apple Watch™, exercise apps) to incentivize physical activity. However, little is known about the motivations of NAC/RC patients to be active or their perceptions towards digital health technologies.
We conducted semi-structured interviews with bladder cancer survivors who previously underwent NAC/RC. We asked participants to reflect upon their experience throughout the course of treatment as it pertained to (1) barriers of physical activity, (2) facilitators of physical activity, and (3) how digital health technologies can promote physical activity. These findings will inform the design of a Phase II exercise prehabilitation trial (GetMoving, NCT06040762).
9 patients were interviewed and common themes emerged. Patients undergoing NAC/RC desired a structured exercise plan outlining the duration, intensity and frequency of exercise to perform. Encouragement to exercise and "check ins" from their provider were critical in maintaining their motivation to exercise. Objective measurements of their fitness would help with setting fitness goals and adhering to training plans. All patients would use digital health technologies to improve their health.
We provide a novel study assessing the perceptions of bladder cancer survivors towards exercise motivations and digital health technologies.
Urologic oncology. 2025 May 28 [Epub ahead of print]
Alex Zhu, Jessica Sher, Richard Li, Otari Ioseliani, Leah Cantor, Elena G Brewer, Karla Landis, David Bridges, Sean A Munson, Hanna Hunter, Cindy Lin, Sarah P Psutka
Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle WA., Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle WA., University of Washington, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, Seattle WA., The Sports Institute at UW Medicine, Seattle WA., Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle WA., Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle WA; Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchison Cancer Center, Seattle WA., Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle WA; The Sports Institute at UW Medicine, Seattle WA., Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle WA; Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchison Cancer Center, Seattle WA. Electronic address: .
PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40441948