Mobile application to support oncology patients during treatment on patient outcomes: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Ilana Graetz, Emory University; Xin Hu, Emory University; Andrea N Curry, West Cancer Center and Research Institute; Andrew Robles, Emory University; Gregory A Vidal, West Cancer Center and Research Institute; Lee S Schwartzberg, Renown Institute for Cancer
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-10-18
• Publisher: WILEY
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2022 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5351
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: CANCER MEDICINE
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 5
• Start Page: 6190
• End Page: 6199
• Keywords: HEALTH; self-management support; CANCER; cancer treatment; CARE; mobile health; Oncology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Science & Technology; chemotherapy; randomized control trial
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Oncology

Abstract

Background: Cancer treatment requires substantial demands on patients and their caregivers. Mobile apps can provide support for self-management during oncology treatment, but few have been rigorously evaluated. Methods: A 3-month randomized controlled trial was conducted at a large cancer center to evaluate the efficacy of an app (LivingWith®) that provides self-management support during cancer treatment on quality of life and health care utilization. Patients in chemotherapy treatment were randomized into the intervention (n = 113) and control group (n = 111). Intervention group participants agreed to use the app weekly for 3 months, and all participants completed a survey at enrollment and after 3 months to evaluate changes in quality of life and health care utilization. Results: Retention rate was 75.4% with 169 participants completing the follow-up survey. The intervention group reported 0.74 fewer medical office visits (p = 0.043) and 0.24 fewer visits with a mental health professional (p = 0.061) during the 3 and month intervention compared with controls. There were no significant changes by study group in quality of life, or emergency room and urgent care visits. Among intervention participants, 75.3% reported using the app and on average, used it 11.7 times during the 3-month intervention. Reasons for not using the app among intervention participants included lack of time, lack of interest in apps, and usability challenges. Conclusions and Relevance: Apps are inexpensive and scalable tools that can provide additional support for individuals coping with complex cancer treatments. This trial provides evidence that a well-designed oncology support app used during chemotherapy resulted in fewer clinic visits. Still, nearly a quarter of participants randomized to the intervention arm reported never using the app due to personal preference and usability challenges, which points to future opportunities for calibrating target user population and improving user-centered design. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04331678.