Improving Symptom Communication Through Personal Digital Assistants: the CHAT (Communicating Health Assisted by Technology) Project

Overview

Journal J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Oncology

Date 2014 Jan 8

PMID 24395985

Citations 13

Authors

Douglas M Post

Charles L Shapiro

Donald J Cegala

Prabu David

Mira L Katz

Jessica L Krok

Gary S Phillips

Ann Sheck McAlearney

Jennifer S Lehman

William Hicks

Electra D Paskett

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Communication problems impede effective symptom management during chemotherapy. The primary aim of this pilot randomized controlled trial was to test the effects of a personal digital assistant-delivered communication intervention on pain, depression, and fatigue symptoms among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Secondary aims included assessment of 1) study feasibility, 2) patient and clinician responses to study participation, and 3) intervention effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and communication self-efficacy.

Methods: Intervention group participants (n = 27) completed symptom inventories at baseline, once per week during treatment, and at posttreatment. Depending on symptom severity, they viewed race-concordant videos on how to communicate about pain, depression and/or fatigue, using the personal digital assistant. Symptom records were tracked and shared with clinicians. Control group participants (n = 23) received usual care. Longitudinal random effects modeling assessed the changes in average symptom scores over time. Descriptive statistics assessed study feasibility and intervention effects on HRQoL and communication self-efficacy. Postintervention focus groups, interviews, and surveys assessed responses to study participation.

Results: Mean age of the participants was 51.0 years; 42 participants (84%) were white. In comparison with control, intervention group participants reported lower average pain severity over time (P = .015). Mean pain interference scores over time were marginally different between groups (P = .07); mean depression and fatigue scores over time were statistically nonsignificant. Feasibility outcomes and perspectives about study participation were positive. Mean pre-post decreases in HRQoL were generally higher among intervention group participants; pre-post changes in communication self-efficacy were equivalent.

Conclusion: Mixed findings of the study indicate the need for future research.

Citing Articles

Examining the Effectiveness of Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes in People With Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

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PMID: 39083791 PMC: 11325109. DOI: 10.2196/49089.

Cancer Patients' Perspectives and Requirements of Digital Health Technologies: A Scoping Literature Review.

Lazarou I, Krooupa A, Nikolopoulos S, Apostolidis L, Sarris N, Papadopoulos S Cancers (Basel). 2024; 16(13).

PMID: 39001356 PMC: 11240750. DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132293.

Feasibility of a mobile health app-based self-management program for Chinese patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy: A randomized controlled pilot study.

Shi N, Wong A, Wong F, Zhang N, Zhu W, Shen K Digit Health. 2024; 10:20552076241231560.

PMID: 38410790 PMC: 10896051. DOI: 10.1177/20552076241231560.

Mobile Health Application-Based Interventions to Improve Self-management of Chemotherapy-Related Symptoms Among People with Breast Cancer Who Are Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review.

Shi N, Wong A, Wong F, Sha L Oncologist. 2023; 28(4):e175-e182.

PMID: 36801955 PMC: 10078896. DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyac267.

Digital Health Interventions for Adult Patients With Cancer Evaluated in Randomized Controlled Trials: Scoping Review.

Lee K, Kim S, Kim S, Yoo S, Sung J, Oh E J Med Internet Res. 2023; 25:e38333.

PMID: 36607712 PMC: 9862347. DOI: 10.2196/38333.

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