Digitizing Cancer Rehabilitation During and After Systemic Treatment: Feasibility Testing Implementation in South Baltic Countries

Summary

Background

With increasing cancer incidence and advanced cancer treatment, the growing population of cancer survivors increases the demand on health resources worldwide. Over the last 20 years, physical rehabilitation has reached recognition as an essential component of cancer care due its effect on physical function, side effects of treatment, and quality of life. However, highly specialized health care can result in longer distances to rehabilitation facilities. Also, a heavy appointment schedule for patients in treatment tends to complicate participation in rehabilitation. Telehealth has shown promise in increasing accessibility to services, also rehabilitation. However, barriers to participating in digitally delivered rehabilitation might exist, including lower e-health literacy and internet access in rural areas. The aim of this study is therefore, to examine the feasibility of implementing digitally supported rehabilitaiton in cancer care during and after treatment.

Methodology In a multinational implementation study, the feasibility of implementation of digital rehabilitation will be tested in five South Baltic Countries (DK, SWE, GER, PL, LTU). Each site will host one feasibility trial for patients during cancer treatment and one for patients after, with n=30 patients in each fesibility trial (total n=300). The intervention will be needs-based, follow international guidelines, last from 8-16 weeks, and be delivered by trained Health Care Professionals (HCP's), either fully or partially digital. Mixed methods will be used to assess outcomes of reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance (RE-AIM).

Through the coordinated feasibility trials across five South Baltic countries, the investigators expect to learn about important factors in implementation of digitally delivered rehabilitation in different settings, cultures, and health systems. Finally, the investigators will bring recommendations for improving reach, implementation, and sustainability of digitally delivered rehabilitation across different settings.

Conditions

• Cancer Rehabilitation
• Cancer

Interventions

OTHER

remote physical rehabilitation

In this multisite international study, we feasibility test implementation of 4 different digital solutions for delivering interactive physical rehabilitation during or after systemic anticancer treatment. The contents of the intervention follows international recommendations for exercise during or after treatment for cancer.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Klaipėda University

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Rostock

  collaborator OTHER

• Angelholm Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• University Clinical Centre, Gdansk

  collaborator OTHER

• Zealand University Hospital

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Susanne O Dalton, MD PhD · Zealand University Hospital, Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Care

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-10-03

Primary Completion

2026-12-31

Completion

2026-12-31

Countries

• Denmark
• Germany
• Lithuania
• Poland
• Sweden

Study Locations