Development of an app for lung cancer survivors (iEXHALE) to increase exercise activity and improve symptoms of fatigue, breathlessness and depression.
OBJECTIVE
Exercise-based self-management interventions are recommended for lung cancer survivors and can provide physical, psychosocial and emotional relief. Mobile health technologies can encourage self-management; however, currently, no cancer-related app addresses exercise-specific needs of lung cancer survivors. This paper details the design, development and testing of an exercise app for lung cancer survivors (iEXHALE), which aims to increase exercise activity and improve symptoms.


METHODS
The research had two stages: (1) focus groups with healthcare professionals, patients and family members (n=21) and (2) app development and usability study with lung cancer survivors (n=6). The Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour model was used as a theoretical framework; data were thematically analysed.


RESULTS
Focus group findings identified many helpful exercises for managing lung cancer survivors' symptoms. These findings, alongside relevant literature, informed iEXHALE's content and design. The usability study found that lung cancer survivors valued iEXHALE's self-management capabilities but identified potential modifications including improved self-monitoring diaries and navigation.


CONCLUSIONS
iEXHALE's development has been theoretically and empirically informed, showing value as a self-management tool. Next, we will test its effectiveness, acceptability and cost-effectiveness.
['Henshall|Catherine|C|0000-0001-5659-3296', 'Davey|Zoe|Z|']
D000073116:Cancer Survivors D003863:Depression D004417:Dyspnea D015444:Exercise D005221:Fatigue D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008175:Lung Neoplasms D008297:Male D009042:Motivation D000073278:Self-Management D017216:Telemedicine
lung cancer cancer exercise fatigue depression self-management mobile nealth oncology qualitative research survivorship