A Novel Telehealth Exercise Program for Rural Cancer Survivors

Background

Exercise is one of the best ways to combat cancer-related fatigue (CRF). However, cancer survivors living in rural areas face unique challenges that make it hard for them to access effective exercise programs.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate a new telehealth exercise program tailored for rural cancer survivors dealing with CRF.

Methods

We conducted a single-arm clinical trial of the BfitBwell Telehealth Program. This 12-week program included:

Live video exercise sessions (2 per program)
Self-guided exercise sessions via a smartphone or internet app (3-5 per week)
Regular monitoring of symptoms through automated emailed surveys (every 2 weeks)

Personalized exercise plans were created by cancer exercise specialists. If participants did not show improvement in their CRF, additional live sessions were offered. Eligible participants were adults who had completed cancer treatment in the past year, lived in rural areas, and were experiencing CRF. We measured feasibility through recruitment rates, participant feedback, and changes in CRF levels.

Results

A total of 19 participants joined the study, with 16 starting and 15 completing the program. Recruitment was mainly through online ads, reaching up to 5 participants per month. Participants showed high engagement:

100% completion of initial and final assessments
93% completion of emailed surveys
97% attendance at live exercise sessions

Six participants required additional sessions for symptom management, attending 6 out of 7 of those sessions. After completing the program, participants saw a significant improvement in their FACIT-Fatigue scores, with 13 showing a clinically meaningful improvement. Scores remained stable at the 6-month follow-up.

Conclusions

The BfitBwell Telehealth Program is feasible and shows promise for future studies. Its innovative approach could enhance the effectiveness of exercise programs through personalized plans and regular symptom tracking.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04533165; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04533165.

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