Faculty Collaboration Database

User-centered development of a smartphone application (Fit2Thrive) to promote physical activity in breast cancer survivors. Transl Behav Med 2022 Feb 16;12(2):203-213

Date

08/17/2021

Pubmed ID

34398962

Pubmed Central ID

PMC8848993

DOI

10.1093/tbm/ibab112

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85119671127 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   5 Citations

Abstract

Increased moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is associated with better health outcomes in breast cancer survivors; yet, most are insufficiently active. Smartphone applications (apps) to promote MVPA have high scalability potential, but few evidence-based apps exist. The purpose is to describe the testing and usability of Fit2Thrive, a MVPA promotion app for breast cancer survivors. A user-centered, iterative design process was utilized on three independent groups of participants. Two groups of breast cancer survivors (group 1 n = 8; group 2: n = 14) performed app usability field testing by interacting with the app for ≥3 days in a free-living environment. App refinements occurred following each field test. The Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ) and the User Version Mobile Application Rating Scale (uMARS) assessed app usability and quality on a 7- and 5-point scale, respectively, and women provided qualitative written feedback. A third group (n = 15) rated potential app notification content. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analyzed using a directed content analysis. The PSSUQ app usability score (M1= 3.8; SD = 1.4 vs. M2= 3.2; SD = 1.1; lower scores are better) and uMARS app quality score (M1 = 3.4; SD = 1.3 vs. M2= 3.4; SD = 0.6; higher scores are better) appeared to improve in Field Test 2. Group 1 participants identified app "clunkiness," whereas group 2 participants identified issues with error messaging/functionality. Group 3 "liked" 53% of the self-monitoring, 71% of the entry reminder, 60% of the motivational, and 70% of the goal accomplishment notifications. Breast cancer survivors indicated that the Fit2Thrive app was acceptable and participants were able to use the app. Future work will test the efficacy of this app to increase MVPA.

Author List

Welch WA, Solk P, Auster-Gussman L, Gavin KL, Whitaker M, Cullather E, Izenman E, Courneya KS, Ackermann R, Spring B, Cella D, Penedo F, Phillips SM

Authors

Kara L. Gavin Research Scientist II in the Center for Advancing Population Science department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Whitney A. Morelli PhD Assistant Professor in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Breast Neoplasms
Cancer Survivors
Exercise
Female
Humans
Mobile Applications
Smartphone