Physical Activities by Technology Help (PATH)

PATH is a research study for cancer survivors to help participants to become more active. Studies suggested an association between inactivity and cancer. The investigators created new novel ways and technologies that may help participants to become more active. The three methods the investigators are studying are: 1) participant become active on her/his own; educational material will be provided; 2) working with a programmed health coach over the phone via text messages; and 3) using digital voice assist to help participant become more active. The digital voice assist will be delivered via Amazon Alexa on Echo speaker (it is the famous intelligent voice that you see in superball commercial by Alec Baldwin). This study is funded by the State of Maryland.

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Maximum age

80 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* A cancer survivor of breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, cervical or oral cancer survivor and live within the Baltimore Maryland area.
* Finished your active cancer treatment at least three months ago.
* Overweight or obese and do not exercise daily.
* Do not have any physical limitation to do mild to moderate physical activities.
* Have a smart phone (iPhone or Android device) with Wi-Fi internet connection at home.
* Actively using an email account
* Willing to accept the random study assignment.
* Willing to wear a Fitbit band 'a physical activity tracking device' on your wrist for five weeks every single day.
* Willing to have an Echo speaker 'a smart home speaker with voice assistant' installed in your home and use the digital voice assist for four weeks.
* Willing to receive daily text messages on your phone for four weeks.
* Willing to provide us with access to your Fitbit physical activities data.
* Willing to sign the consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Already doing moderate to high physical activities in their daily life (rapid screener).
* Planning to relocate within the next 4-5 weeks.
* Stage 4 cancer.
* Already using physical activity tracker or part of a physical activity program.
* Part of another study that may interfere with our outcome of interest, unstable mental condition.
* Mental condition that prevents patient from performing the study activities and requirements.
* Pregnancy.

• DERIVEDHassoon A, Baig Y, Naiman DQ, Celentano DD, Lansey D, Stearns V, Coresh J, Schrack J, Martin SS, Yeh HC, Zeilberger H, Appel LJ. Randomized trial of two artificial intelligence coaching interventions to increase physical activity in cancer survivors. NPJ Digit Med. 2021 Dec 9;4(1):168. doi: 10.1038/s41746-021-00539-9. PMID 34887491
• DERIVEDHassoon A, Schrack J, Naiman D, Lansey D, Baig Y, Stearns V, Celentano D, Martin S, Appel L. Increasing Physical Activity Amongst Overweight and Obese Cancer Survivors Using an Alexa-Based Intelligent Agent for Patient Coaching: Protocol for the Physical Activity by Technology Help (PATH) Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2018 Feb 12;7(2):e27. doi: 10.2196/resprot.9096. PMID 29434016