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“Don’t Just Sit Still!”
Updated: June 30, 2025, 10:35 AM Published: June 17, 2025, 12:04 PM
Petra von Heideken Wågert, professor of physiotherapy at Mälardalen University. The project group consists of: Anna Henriksson, researcher, Uppsala University, Johanna Zetterlund, postdoc, Mälardalen University, Karin Nordin, professor, Uppsala University and Lisa Rådman, researcher, Mälardalen University.
Sedentary behavior is a significant societal challenge due to its potentially serious health consequences. For individuals undergoing cancer treatment, prolonged sitting can be an even greater hurdle. A new digital support system, developed at the Center for Welfare Change at Mälardalen University, aims to reduce sedentary time and support people with cancer in achieving better health during and after treatment.
Sedentary behavior has been documented as a risk factor for serious health problems, such as cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Petra von Heideken Wågert, professor of physiotherapy at Mälardalen University, explains that this lifestyle is particularly challenging for people with cancer, as physical activity can sometimes be difficult to perform during treatment – especially with significant side effects.
She leads the new RedSedCan study, funded by the Swedish Cancer Society, which investigates the effects of reducing sedentary time rather than focusing solely on exercise. This initiative is particularly relevant as it is expected to contribute to sustainable health behaviors and reduce both treatment side effects and the risk of other health problems in the future.
“The project is part of the Center for Welfare Change, where academia, industry, and the public sector collaborate to find new solutions to societal challenges based on the opportunities of health and welfare technology. Through our research, we hope to show that even small changes in everyday life, such as standing up more often or walking shorter distances, can have a significant impact on the health of people with cancer. By reducing sedentary time, we achieve positive effects both physically and mentally. Simply put: don’t just sit still,” she says.
Adapted to the Individual
The intervention being studied is a digital support system that includes personalized, digital guidance and multiple follow-ups from physiotherapists, an app to measure steps, and a website with information about sedentary behavior and its health impact, as well as tips on how to avoid sitting still.
Anna Henriksson, a researcher at Uppsala University, has been involved in developing the digital support system together with people undergoing cancer treatment and says that the individuals found it easy to follow the program because it was adapted to their individual needs.
“It’s about finding strategies to avoid becoming inactive when you feel unwell. We help people with cancer set realistic goals and give them the tools to achieve them,” she concludes.
About the Center for Welfare Change
The Center for Welfare Change is a neutral meeting place that brings together academia, industry, the public sector, and civil society with a focus on conducting and making available research on the opportunities of health and welfare technology.
Reduce Sedentary Behavior during Cancer Treatment – The RedSedCan Study – Mälardalen University
This article was produced in collaboration with Mälardalen University.
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