Detecting Activity to Support Healing

The goal of this research is to develop and test a technology-supported intervention to reduce sedentary behavior before and after cancer surgery. Surgical oncology patients are at elevated risk for postoperative complications and readmissions. Sedentary behavior increases markedly after surgery and hospitalization, and reducing sedentary behavior around the time of cancer surgery could reduce risk while also empowering cancer patients to take a more active role in their recovery.

Colorectal or peritoneal cancer patients scheduled for surgical resection (n=60) will be randomized to either the sedentary behavior intervention or monitoring only. The intervention will use a Bluetooth-enabled activity monitor to detect prolonged sedentary bouts, which will prompt a message delivered via smartphone suggesting that patients walk. The intervention will begin at least two weeks prior to scheduled surgery and will continue through the first 30 days at home following hospital discharge. Outcomes will include objective activity and sedentary behavior, patient-reported symptoms and quality of life using standardized instruments, inflammatory biomarkers, and morbidity and hospital readmission 30-days after index discharge.