Early detection and management of symptoms using an interactive smartphone application (Interaktor) during radiotherapy for prostate cancer

Abstract

PurposePatients undergoing radiotherapy for prostate cancer suffer from a variety of symptoms which influence health-related quality of life. We have developed an application (Interaktor) for smartphones and tablets for early detection, reporting and management of symptoms, and concerns during treatment for prostate cancer. The study evaluates the effect on symptom burden and quality of life when using the application for real-time symptom assessment and management during radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer.MethodsA non-randomized controlled study was used at two university hospitals in Sweden where 64 patients constituted a control group and 66 patients made up an intervention group. The intervention group was asked to report symptoms via the application daily during the treatment as well as 3 weeks after. The EORTC QLQ-C30 and its module PR25 and the Sense of Coherence questionnaire were administered at three time points in both groups.ResultsThe intervention group rated significantly lower levels of fatigue and nausea at the end of radiotherapy. Moreover, they had significantly less burden in emotional functioning, insomnia, and urinary-related symptoms at the end of treatment as well as 3 months later compared with the control group. In the multivariate analyses, with education and sense of coherence as covariates, the intervention group still significantly rated emotional functioning (p = 0.007), insomnia (p = 0.017), and urinary-related symptoms (p = 0.008) as better than the control group at T2.ConclusionStudy findings suggest that Interaktor could be an efficient mHealth tool for facilitating supportive care needs during cancer treatment.

Systematic review of technology‐based interventions to improve anxiety, depression, and health‐related quality of life among patients with prostate cancer

“…After removal of duplicate papers and ineligible studies, 10 studies met our inclusion criteria, and thus, were included in this review. These studies included randomized control trials (N=6), and quasi‐experimental studies (N=4: three “2‐group pretest‐posttest” studies and one “1‐group pretest‐posttest” study) . These studies were conducted in Australia, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States (Table ).…”

“…The TBIs aimed to provide informational, psychosocial, self‐care management, or communication support. These studies used self‐guided websites (N=5) ; web‐based programs supported by medical professionals (N=4); and a mobile health app with clinical nurse supervision (N=1) …”

“…The intervention duration of eight studies ranged from 4 weeks to 3 months, and two studies continued the interventions for 6‐12 months . Six studies specified that participants needed to complete 4 to 18 TBI sessions, whereas participants in four studies used the TBI programs as needed . Four studies reported that the length of each session ranged from 15 to 90 minutes .…”

“…Four studies reported that the length of each session ranged from 15 to 90 minutes . Seven studies provided technical assistance, IT training, or TBI user manuals to the participants …”

“…The TBI components can be categorized as (a) informational, (b) psychosocial, (c) self‐care management, and (d) communication support. Informational components included patient needs in cancer, information about cancer illness, cancer prevention, cancer management, and decision making skills . Psychosocial components involved psychological wellbeing and social integration contents including psychoeducation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy support, stress management skills, behavioral modification strategies, coping skills, peer support, community support, social networks enhancement, occupational reintegration, and interpersonal skills .…”