Analysis of Metabolic and Quality-of-Life Factors in Patients With Cancer for a New Approach to Classifying Walking Habits: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

As more people are diagnosed with cancer, helping them manage their recovery is essential. Technology, especially apps that track physical activity, plays a vital role in supporting patients. Staying active can improve health and quality of life for cancer patients, but we still need more evidence on how effective these digital tools are over the long term.

Objective

This study looked at how long-term physical activity affects cancer patients. We used the Walkon app to categorize patients into two groups: those who were active and those who were inactive based on their step counts.

Methods

We selected cancer patients who had previously used the Walkon app. We collected data on their walking steps, body measurements (like BMI and waist circumference), blood sugar levels, and quality of life through questionnaires at the start and after six months. We analyzed their walking patterns to group them into active and inactive categories.

Results

We successfully categorized 137 patients as active and 75 as inactive. The active group walked significantly more: an average of 5,355 steps daily compared to 4,223 for the inactive group. The active group also showed better results in waist circumference and visceral fat measurements. Improvements in quality of life were noted in areas like energy, work, depression, memory, and happiness, all of which were significant for the active group.

Conclusions

This study presents a new way to classify cancer patients based on their physical activity. While the active group showed notable improvements in quality of life and physical health, the overall differences between the two groups over six months were not statistically significant. These findings suggest that digital tools can enhance cancer care and support self-management.

Opportunities for Clinics and Patients

Based on the trial data, clinics can:

Define measurable outcomes for patient activity.
Set clear goals for improving health and quality of life.
Select AI tools that meet specific clinical needs.
Implement a step-by-step approach, starting with pilot projects to track results.