Digital health and physical activity: Insights from advanced lung cancer patients in Hong Kong

Objective: This study explored knowledge of physical activity (PA) benefits, practices, preferences, and the acceptability of instant messaging interventions among patients with advanced lung cancer (ALC). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using non-probability convenience sampling at a major regional teaching hospital in Hong Kong. Results: Of 100 participants approached, 82 ALC patients (mean age 64 years; 46.3% male) were included. Most believed PA could alleviate fatigue (72.0%), improve mood (72.0%), enhance sleep (65.9%), and relieve cancer-related discomfort (53.7%). However, only 34.1% were informed about PA benefits by health professionals, and 28.0% actively sought PA information. While 91.5% and 42.7% of ALC patients considered light and moderate PA, respectively, PA engagement declined, with those meeting the recommended 150 minutes of moderate PA per week dropping from 52.4% pre-diagnosis to 22.0% post-diagnosis. Among participants, 78.0% owned smartphones, and 92.2% of these had messaging apps. Most (81.3%) found it was feasible to use instant messaging for cancer-related information, and 71.9% believed health messages could encourage PA. Preferred topics included dietary information (85.9%), cancer treatments (70.3%), PA (67.2%), and infection prevention (35.9%). Most preferred receiving 1–3 messages per week (76.6%), especially in the afternoon (57.8%). Conclusions: This study highlights gaps between ALC patients' positive beliefs about PA and health care providers' engagement, as well as deficiencies in health knowledge and behavior. Integrating PA guidance into routine care could support ALC patients’ physical and mental well-being. Future research should explore smartphone-based messaging interventions to deliver personalized health education, promote PA, and improve outcomes. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04104516.