The School of Kinesiology’s Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory (PAEL) researchers Daphne S. Blount, Daniel J. McDonough, PhD candidate, and Zan Gao, PhD, director of PAEL, have published a research article titled “A systematic review of physiological, cognitive, and emotional outcomes of wearable health technology interventions among breast cancer survivors” in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.

Daphne S. Blount is a senior undergraduate student from College of Biological Science and has served as a volunteer at PAEL since 2019. This systematic review synthesized all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled trials examining the effects of wearable health technology-based physical activity interventions on physiological, cognitive, and emotional outcomes in breast cancer survivors (BCS). Sixty-six studies were identified and 14 were included in the review. Most of the observed effects were statistically significant and those which employed multi-component interventions generally yielded greater effects.

Their research found that the use of wearable health technology reduced sedentary behavior and increased moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity. Further, increased moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity was observed to be associated with increased perceived cognition and higher cognitive performance. Multiple studies also observed significant improvements in attitude, worry, and anxiety. Overall, findings suggested wearable health technology-based physical activity interventions to be effective for improving physical activity, attitude, and cognitive functions and for reducing sedentary behavior, anxiety, and worry in BCS.