Abstract
INTRODUCTION: We compared 16-week wearable activity monitor trajectories of patients receiving hematopoietic stem-cell transplants (SCT) engaged in an activity intervention trial. METHODS: Forty adults with haematological malignancy scheduled to undergo SCT were randomised to an exercise and sedentary behaviour intervention (INT; n = 22) or usual care (UC; n = 19). Participants were observed continuously for the duration of inpatient hospitalisation for SCT (approximately 4 weeks) and outpatient (12 weeks) care. Between-group differences were determined by 16-week trajectories of Fitbit-derived variables of physical activity and sedentary time (ST). RESULTS: Inpatient hospitalisation for SCT led to higher levels of ST and lower levels of physical activity in both groups relative to pre-admission. Across the ~16-week period, the INT group had significantly higher physical activity and lower ST. During the 16-week study period and independent of intervention group assignment, a higher pre-hospitalisation cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity, being female had stronger associations with step counts, older age and myeloablative SCT were associated with higher ST, and higher proportions of lean mass were associated with higher levels of LPA. CONCLUSIONS: Wearable activity monitors can continuously assess the behavioural impacts of SCT and the efficacy of activity intervention in patients receiving hospital treatment for haematological malignancy. Tracker data showed that the activity intervention protected against declines in physical activity and increases in sedentary time with usual hospital care in SCT. Higher pre-hospitalisation cardiorespiratory fitness and proportion of lean mass were associated with preservation and recuperation of activity levels.