A growing body of evidence supports the efficacy of 
exercise training in the management of lung cancer. 
Home-based telerehabilitation may be a favourable 
model; however limited information is available about 
technology access, use and competency specifically in the 
lung cancer population.  

Aims: To identify the proportion of patients with lung 
cancer who access and use mobile phones, tablet devices 
or computers; and the patient profile of such individuals.  

Method: 23 participants (17 male, median ages 71 [IQR 
63-72] years) with stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer, 
1-13 months post diagnosis completed a technology 
questionnaire. Additional measures completed at time of 
diagnosis include: comorbidities, Eastern Cooperative 
Oncology Group- Performance Status (function), six 
minute walk distance (functional exercise capacity) and 
questionnaires (physical activity levels, symptoms, mood, 
health-related quality of life). 

Results: 70% (n=16/23) of participants had a mobile 
phone, 4% (n=1/23) had a tablet device and 43% 
(n=10/23) had a computer. Thirty percent (n=7/23) of 
participants did not have a mobile phone, tablet device or
computer; these individuals were older (p=0.013), had 
greater comorbidities (p=0.028), lower functional 
exercise capacity (p=0.048); and worse fatigue (p=0.002) 
and pain (p=0.006). The majority of participants with 
mobile phones did not have a smart phone (69%) and no 
participants used the internet on their phone. Seventeen 
percent (n=4/23) of participants used the internet daily on 
a computer, all other participants used the internet once a 
month or less. Only 13% (n=3/23) of participants rated 
their computer skills as adequate or higher. Skype and 
Facebook were only used by one participant.  

Conclusion: Access and use of smart phones, tablet 
devices and computers is relatively infrequent in an 
elderly population with early stage lung cancer from a 
tertiary acute hospital setting. Further studies are 
warranted to explore the acceptability of technology in 
the delivery of exercise rehabilitation in this population.