Timing smartphone messages to boost activity for older cancer survivors with chronic pain
Official title: An Adaptive Design for Dosing Physical Activity Among Older Cancer Survivors Who Experience Chronic Pain: a Micro-randomized Trial
Run by Medical College of Wisconsin · NCT07227077 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether sending short smartphone messages at certain times can increase physical activity in older cancer survivors with chronic pain.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 65 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Medical College of Wisconsin Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 7, 2026 |
| Main results expected | May 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | May 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | August 20, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07227077 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 65 or older who are non‑metastatic cancer survivors (examples in the protocol include breast, colorectal, bladder, cervical, endometrial, lung, or prostate), who speak English, have chronic pain, and own a smartphone are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with metastatic disease or active recurrence, those without smartphone access or the ability to consent, and survivors with severe mobility limitations may not receive benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This micro-randomized intervention repeatedly randomizes whether and when participants receive brief messages aimed at prompting physical activity, then measures activity in the hour after each prompt. Eligible participants are adults aged 65 and older with a non‑metastatic cancer history who use a smartphone and report chronic pain. Activity is monitored via smartphone or wearable data to estimate the probability of movement following prompts, while a secondary, exploratory outcome tracks the probability of a pain episode in the 24 hours after a message. The design aims to identify the optimal states and timing for delivering prompts to increase short‑term activity without increasing pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could identify the best moments to prompt movement so survivors increase activity more reliably and with less added pain, improving daily function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous message‑based and wearable‑supported programs have shown modest short‑term increases in physical activity, but applying micro‑randomized timing specifically in older cancer survivors with chronic pain is relatively novel and pain effects are not yet established.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age greater than or equal to 65 years. 2. Patients with a history of bladder, breast, cervical, colorectal, endometrial, lung, and prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. 3. Fluent in spoken and written English. 4. Patient has access to smartphone 5. Ability to understand a written informed consent document, and the willingness to sign it. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patient has metastatic disease. 2. Patient has cancer recurrence.
Where it's running
-
Froedtert Hospital
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Kelly Clohesey Clinical Research Coordinator, MOT
- Email: kclohesey@mcw.edu
- Phone: 4149554099
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.