Assessing physical activity using Fitbit trackers and the association with quality of life among newly diagnosed patients with hematologic cancer.

PURPOSE: We investigated associations between real-world activity data based on daily steps and heart rate, measured by wearable activity trackers, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in newly diagnosed patients with hematologic cancers.

METHODS

In this observational cohort study, 314 patients completed HRQoL questionnaires at diagnosis, 3, 6, and 12 months. Of these, 130 patients wore Fitbit Inspire HR trackers. HRQoL was measured using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and disease-specific modules. Mixed models assessed associations between daily steps (physical activity), heart rate (general fitness/health status) and HRQoL over time. Outcomes were presented based on quartiles of daily steps.

RESULTS

The median number of daily steps per quartile at diagnosis was approximately 3,000, 6,000, 8,000 and 11,000, respectively. Patients in the first quartile were older, more likely to be male, overweight, current smokers, report ≥2 comorbidities and/or have multiple myeloma diagnosis, and less likely to have higher education or income, compared to the fourth quartile. Clinically relevant better HRQoL increased with step count, but plateaued at high activity (±8,000 steps/day). Higher heart rate was associated with greater symptom burden. For every 1,000 additional steps per day, physical (β=1.0 p<0.001) and role (β=1.1 p=0.03) functioning, global health status/QoL (β=1.0 p<0.001), fatigue (β=-0.9 p=0.03) and dyspnea (β=-1.1 p=0.01) improved significantly.

CONCLUSION

Physical activity and general fitness/health status at diagnosis may be important predictors of maintaining HRQoL in the first year after diagnosis.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: These findings underscore the potential of wearable technology to inform supportive care and empower self-management. Even small increases in daily steps may contribute to maintaining HRQoL after diagnosis.