Patient Willingness to Use Digital Health Technologies: A Quantitative and Qualitative Survey in Patients with Cancer Cachexia

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to gain insights into the patients’ perspectives on the impact of cancer cachexia on physical activity and their willingness to wear digital health technology (DHT) devices in clinical trials. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We administered a quantitative 20-minute online survey on aspects of physical activity (on a 0–100 scale) to 50 patients with cancer cachexia recruited through Rare Patient Voice, LLC. A subset of 10 patients took part in qualitative 45-minute web-based interviews with a demonstration of DHT devices. Survey questions related to the impact of weight loss (a key characteristic in Fearon’s cachexia definition) on physical activity, patients’ expectations regarding desired improvements and their level of meaningful activities, as well as preferences for DHT. RESULTS: Seventy-eight percent of patients reported that their physical activity was impacted by cachexia, and for 77% of them, such impact was consistent over time. Patients perceived most impact of weight loss on walking distance, time and speed, and on level of activity during the day. Sleep, activity level, walking quality and distance were identified as the most meaningful activities to improve. Patients would like to see a moderate improvement of activity levels and consider it meaningful to perform physical activity of moderate intensity (eg, walk at normal pace) on a regular basis. The wrist was the preferred location for wearing a DHT device, followed by arm, ankle, and waist. CONCLUSION: Most patients reported physical activity limitations since the occurrence of weight loss compatible with cancer-associated cachexia. Walking distance, sleep and quality of walk were the most meaningful activities to moderately improve, and patients consider moderate physical activity as meaningful. Finally, this study population found the proposed wear of DHT devices on the wrist and around the waist acceptable for the duration of clinical studies.