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My PhD: Title: Development and evaluation of a mobile app to promote PA among people affected by cancer
Supervisors: Dr Abi Fisher, Dr Henry Potts, Dr Lee Smith
Lay summary: People affected by cancer who are more active are more likely to live longer, less likely to get cancer again and experience fewer side effects from treatment. My research has evaluated the currently available research evidence which shows that digital interventions (e.g. apps and websites) can effectively help people diagnosed with cancer to increase their physical activity (PA) by approximately 40 minutes a week. My research is now focused on the development of an app-based PA intervention for people diagnosed with cancer. I am exploring the number of people who have been diagnosed with breast, prostate or colorectal cancer who are interested in digital interventions, and which factors (e.g. age, gender) affect their level of interest. I have also asked people diagnosed with these cancers to spend 2-3 weeks using publicly available PA apps (non-cancer-specific) to see what we can learn from the apps which are currently available to download by the general public and how we can integrate this feedback into the development of a cancer-specific app-based PA intervention. I am also interviewing clinical nurse specialists about their opinions of signposting patients to app-based PA interventions to ensure that our proposed intervention can be successfully integrated into clinical practice.
My Background: Before starting my PhD I worked as a research assistant at the University of Nottingham where I worked on a project which developed and evaluated a text-messaging-based physical activity intervention for people diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. During this time I also volunteered for a Macmillan Cancer Support Survivorship Support Service which aimed to support people diagnosed with cancer by offering assistance in applying for appropriate welfare benefits & charity grants and signposting to other support services (e.g. emotional, practical and social support). I completed my MSc in Health Psychology at the University of Nottingham (2013-2014) and my BSc (Hons) in Psychology, also at the University of Nottingham (2010-2013).
Qualifications
2013-2014: MSc Health Psychology (Merit, University of Nottingham)
2010-2013: BSc (Hons)
Psychology (First Class, University of Nottingham)
Publications
1. Roberts AL, Fisher A, Smith L, Heinrich M, Potts HWW. (2017). Digital health behaviour change interventions targeting physical activity and diet in cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Cancer Survivorship; 11(6):704-719. doi: 10.1007/s11764-017-0632-1.
2. Puszkiewicz P, Roberts AL, Smith L, Wardle J, Fisher A. (2016). Assessment of Cancer Survivors' Experiences of Using a Publicly Available Physical Activity Mobile Application. JMIR Cancer; 2(1):e7. doi:10.2196/cancer.5380
3. Blake, H. Roberts, A. & Stanulewicz, N. (2015) Telemedicine and mHealth interventions for children and young people with Type One Diabetes (T1DM). Journal of Endocrinology & Diabetes Research
4. Blake, H. Roberts, A. Batt, M. Moses, J. (2015). Motiv8! Feasibility of a text messaging intervention to promote physical activity in knee osteoarthritis. International Journal of Sports and Exercise Medicine.
Appointments:
Nov 2014-Sep 2015: Research Assistant, Department of Community Health Sciences (University of Nottingham)
Aug 2014-Sep 2015: Macmillan Cancer Survivorship Support Service Volunteer
Contact details: Email: anna.roberts.15@ucl.ac.uk
Twitter: @AnnaR104
