Evaluation of exercise-promoting digital aftercare in the rehabilitation of breast cancer patients

Abstract

Background: Physical activity may have a positive effect on disease progression after breast cancer. To support the continuation of physical activity after rehabilitation, an exercise-promoting aftercare programme with an app (ReNaApp) was developed and evaluated for breast cancer. Methods: Multi-centre, quasi-experimental intervention study. Rehabilitation patients with breast cancer after inpatient treatment (18-60 years) were included. The intervention group (IG) was prepared for the digital aftercare programme and used the ReNaApp for one year. The control group (CG) underwent standard rehabilitation and aftercare. The written survey covered i. a. quality of life, participation, return to work (RTW), physical activity and conducted at the beginning (t0), end (t1) and after 12 months (t2) of rehabilitation. Results: 199 (IG) and 294 (KG) people completed all questionnaires. Participants were on average 50.7 years old. Participation, quality of life, functional scales and individual symptom scales showed small time effects from t0 to t2. Patient-centred outcomes showed no interaction or group effects. RTW was achieved equally by both groups (83%). The IG statistically significantly increased the amount of physical activity from t0 to t2 (p < 0.01). Every second IG participant used the ReNaApp and 77% of the users confirmed that they were supported by the ReNaApp. Conclusion: There was a sustained increase in physical activity in the IG. The fact that there was no more favourable development in subjective health and RTW in favour of the IG may be due to less use of the aftercare app.