SBIR-STTR Award

Cancer treatment induced bone loss and the subsequent risk of fractures in both men and women impacts not just survivorsquality of lifebut is also a significant burden on national health careClinical studies have reported that moderate intensity resistance exercises prevent a decline in bone health in female cancer survivorsand that strength training may reduce complications associated with cancer such as fatiguemuscle wastingand bone lossUnfortunatelyonly a small percentage of women who have had cancerengage in and adhere to a strength training exercise routineWe have developed a internet based applicationThrivorsTMthat guides cancer survivors through exercise routines with light to moderate strength training in the home settingand connects them to survivorship resourcesIn this Phase I proposalwe will develop and deploy an enhanced versionThrivors BHTMthat disseminates resistance training exercises specifically impacting bone healthBHintegrated with video based interactive feedback and tracking of adherence to exercise routinesOur goal is to validate Thrivors BHTM as a novel tool to bridge the gaps between cancer survivorshipphysical activityvalue based care and health care organizationsproviders and payersto positively impact bone health in breast cancer survivors NARRATIVE There is an unmet need for improving adherence to bone health specific exercises among cancer survivors who are at increased risk of fractures due to cancer treatment induced bone lossWe are developing Thrivors BHTMan internet based survivorship care technology platform that empowers cancer survivors to self improve their bone healthand self manage secondary conditions impacting their quality of lifeWe anticipate that Thrivors BHTM will be a cost effective tool for bridging the gaps between cancer survivorshipphysical activityvalue based careand health care providers and payers

Cancer treatment-induced bone loss and the subsequent risk of fractures in both men and women impacts notjust survivors' quality of life, but is also a significant burden on national health care. Clinical studies have reportedthat moderate-intensity resistance exercises prevent a decline in bone health in female cancer survivors, andthat strength training may reduce complications associated with cancer such as fatigue, muscle wasting, andbone loss. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of women who have had cancer, engage in and adhere to astrength training exercise routine.We have developed a internet-based application, ThrivorsTM, that guides cancer survivors through exerciseroutines with light-to-moderate strength training in the home setting, and connects them to survivorshipresources. In this Phase I proposal, we will develop and deploy an enhanced version, Thrivors+BHTM, thatdisseminates resistance training exercises specifically impacting bone health (BH), integrated with video-basedinteractive feedback and tracking of adherence to exercise routines.Our goal is to validate Thrivors+BHTM as a novel tool to bridge the gaps between cancer survivorship, physicalactivity, value-based care and health care organizations (providers and payers), to positively impact bone healthin breast cancer survivors.

Public Health Relevance Statement:
NARRATIVE There is an unmet need for improving adherence to bone health-specific exercises among cancer survivors who are at increased risk of fractures due to cancer treatment-induced bone loss. We are developing Thrivors+BHTM, an internet-based survivorship care technology platform that empowers cancer survivors to self-improve their bone health, and self-manage secondary conditions impacting their quality of life. We anticipate that Thrivors+BHTM will be a cost-effective tool for bridging the gaps between cancer survivorship, physical activity, value-based care, and health care providers and payers.

Project Terms: