Course of Step Counts During Systemic Treatment for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer–Observational Data from a Prematurely Terminated Prospective Study

BACKGROUND/AIM: Patients receiving systemic treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may experience significant fatigue leading to decrease in physical activity. An app reminding them to reach a pre-defined daily step count may be useful. The APACHIE-01 trial aimed to investigate step counts during systemic treatment and form the basis of a complimentary prospective trial testing a reminder app. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Primary endpoint was the mean step count per week during the first three cycles of systemic treatment (weeks three, six, and nine) in relation to the pre-treatment step count (baseline). Recruitment of the required 38 patients with advanced NSCLC should be completed within four months. Since only three patients were included during this period, the trial was stopped prematurely. Given the very small sample size, analyses were descriptive and exploratory in nature. RESULTS: Mean weekly step counts at baseline were 2,451, 7,250, and 4,877 steps (mean value=4,859±2,400 steps; timepoint A). Mean values during weeks three (timepoint B), six (timepoint C), and nine (timepoint D) were 3,114±2,568, 2,837±750, and 1,224±44 (only two patients available) steps, respectively. Comparisons of mean step counts revealed numerical decreases, particularly between timepoints A and D. CONCLUSION: It was unexpectedly difficult to recruit patients for the APACHIE-01 trial. Given the very low number of participants, the results of the APACHIE-01 trial can only serve for descriptive orientation. The decrease of the mean step count may justify further exploratory investigations during systemic treatment and support the idea of an app reminding NSCLC patients to walk a pre-defined number of steps per day.