Purpose
Increasing physical activity level is a generally effective intervention goal for patients who suffer from chronic cancer-related fatigue (CCRF). However, patients are unlikely to benefit equally from these interventions, as their behavioral starting points might vary substantially. Therefore, we explored patterns of physical behavior of participants who suffer from CCRF.

Methods
Baseline data of a randomized controlled trial were used for a latent profile analysis on nine accelerometer-derived physical behavior measures, describing levels and patterns of physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA), and sedentary behavior. The relation between participant characteristics and the latent profiles was analyzed.

Results
Accelerometer data of 172 participants from the Netherlands was analyzed. Three latent profiles were distinguished that differed most on physical activity level and total time spent in MVPA. Eighty-eight percent of all participants were assigned to a profile with a probability higher than 8. Age and perceiving limitations by comorbid conditions and pain were significant covariates of profile membership.

Conclusions
We distinguished three physical behavior profiles. The differences between the patterns indicate that the heterogeneity of this sample requires patients to have substantially different treatment goals. Further research should test the applicability of these profiles in clinical practice.

Wolvers, M. D. J., Bussmann, J. B. J., Bruggeman-Everts, F. Z., Boerema, S. T., van de Schoot, R., & Vollenbroek-Hutten, M. M. R. (2018). Physical Behavior Profiles in Chronic Cancer-Related Fatigue. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 25(1), 30-37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-017-9670-3

Former team member

The analyses of two of the chapters of her PhD thesis are performed with Bayesian statistics in MPlus. Rens is copromotor (defence is March 3rd), thesis titled A coach in your pocket. On chronic cancer-related fatigue and...

 
Former team member

In June 2012 I started my PhD project at the Helen Dowling Institute, which is a mental healthcare facility for cancer patients. There, I quantitatively investigated the effectiveness of two eHealth interventions for...