Factors Associated with Patient Interest in a Digital Exercise and Mind-Body Program for Patients Undergoing Active Cancer Treatment: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background/

Objectives

As digital health interventions gain traction in oncology care, understanding factors influencing patient participation is critical to optimizing delivery and enhancing symptom management. Sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with patient interest in a 12-week digital exercise and mind-body program among patients undergoing cancer treatment were examined.

Methods

A secondary analysis of the IMPROVE trial was conducted. This trial evaluated the effects of Integrative Medicine at Home (IM@Home) versus enhanced usual care on fatigue among adults with breast, thoracic, gynecologic, or head/neck cancers or melanoma. Analyses were limited to participants randomized to the IM@Home arm (N = 99). Patient interest was operationalized as the number and type of class registrations. Associations with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were examined using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests.

Results

Among 99 participants (mean age 60.8 ± 12.7 years; 91.9% female), 88.9% registered for at least one class and 70.7% registered for ≥3 classes. Yoga (64.6%) and fitness (63.6%) were the most commonly selected modalities. Receipt of radiation therapy was associated with fewer class registrations (p = 0.01). Older participants were more likely to register for music therapy (p = 0.01), non-Hispanic participants were less likely to register for tai chi/qigong (p = 0.04), and participants who were not employed were less likely to register for yoga (p = 0.02) but more likely to register for dance (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Select patient-level characteristics were associated with preference for different modalities in a digital integrative medicine program, underscoring the importance of flexible, patient-centered design to support personalization, equity, and engagement in supportive oncology care.