Mobile App Assistance for Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: City of Hope Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Non-English, Mobile device use

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how a mobile app called Oncpatient can assist people undergoing radiation therapy for cancer. Radiation treatment involves complex information about managing side effects and treatment logistics. The app aims to simplify access to this information, offering support throughout the treatment process. Suitable participants include those diagnosed with cancer, planning to start radiation therapy soon, and having regular access to a mobile device. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to enhance the treatment experience with innovative technology.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on using a mobile app to assist with radiation therapy, so it's unlikely that your current medications would be affected.

What prior data suggests that the Oncpatient mobile application is safe for assisting cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy?

Research has shown that mobile health apps, such as Oncpatient, are generally well-received by patients undergoing radiation therapy. One study found that 73.3% of patients were willing to use these apps during their treatment. These apps assist in tracking symptoms and offering support, making the radiation process more manageable.

No specific safety issues have been reported for Oncpatient. Designed to assist rather than treat, the app carries a low risk of side effects. It provides information and reminders, helping patients keep track of important details about their therapy. Overall, it appears to be a safe and helpful tool for managing radiation treatments. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Oncpatient mobile app because it offers a unique way to support cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Unlike traditional treatments that focus solely on the medical aspects of care, this app provides additional supportive care by guiding patients through their treatment journey. It aims to enhance the patient experience by offering personalized information and resources right at their fingertips. Additionally, by incorporating a survey at the end of the treatment, it allows for valuable feedback that can be used to improve patient care in the future. This blend of technology and healthcare is what makes Oncpatient stand out from current options.

What evidence suggests that the Oncpatient app is effective for assisting cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy?

Research shows that the Oncpatient mobile app, which participants in this trial will use, helps cancer patients manage their radiation therapy more effectively. Studies have found that apps like this improve symptom management and adherence to treatment plans. Over 40% of users reported that the app enhanced their understanding of their treatment. These apps also facilitate communication between patients and doctors. This evidence suggests that Oncpatient could be a valuable tool for patients undergoing radiation therapy. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Colton Ladbury

Principal Investigator

City of Hope Medical Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 with any type or stage of cancer who are about to start radiation therapy. Participants must be able to read and speak English, provide informed consent, and have regular access to a mobile device.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with cancer, regardless of its stage or where it is in my body.

Has regular access to a mobile device

I agree to start radiotherapy within a month, with no set end date.

Exclusion Criteria

I cannot use a smartphone or tablet.

I am under 18 years old.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Radiation Therapy

Participants use the oncpatient mobile application over the course of radiation therapy

Up to 1 year

Daily treatments

Follow-up

Participants complete a survey on the final day of radiation treatment to assess satisfaction and usability of the mobile application

1 day

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Oncpatient

Trial Overview

The trial is testing the 'Oncpatient' mobile app designed to assist patients during radiation treatment. It aims to make patient education more accessible by providing guidance on treatment logistics and side effect management through the app.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Supportive Care (oncpatient application, survey) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Patients use the oncpatient mobile application over the course of radiation therapy. Patients also complete a survey on the final day of radiation treatment.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

City of Hope Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

614

Recruited

1,924,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The study developed an affordable smartphone-based virtual reality (VR) platform that effectively reduces patient anxiety during radiation therapy, with participants reporting a decrease in anxiety after watching VR videos depicting their treatment process.

Patients found the VR experience helpful, with 96.4% of Group A and 90.9% of Group B appreciating the VR aspect, indicating that this innovative approach can enhance patient comfort and understanding of their treatment journey.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Affordable Platform for Virtual Reality-Based Patient Education in Radiation Therapy. Schulz, JB., Dubrowski, P., Blomain, E., et al.[2023]

In a 2-week trial involving 32 adult radiation oncology patients, the Health Storylines app demonstrated favorable usability, with 81% of participants finding it easy to use.

The app was accessed a total of 711 times, indicating a high level of engagement among users, which suggests that mobile health tracking apps may be well-received in clinical populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Usability and Acceptability of a Patient-Centered Mobile Health Tracking App Among a Sample of Adult Radiation Oncology Patients. Birkhoff, SD., Cantrell, MA., Moriarty, H., et al.[2019]

A web-based interface (WBI) for patient symptom self-reporting during chemoradiation therapy was found to be feasible and well-received, with 92% of patients reporting easy access to the surveys.

Despite high satisfaction, survey fatigue was noted, as 58% of patients felt the surveys were too long or frequent, suggesting a need for a more patient-centered approach to improve engagement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Web-Based Symptom Monitoring With Patient-Reported Outcomes During Definitive Radiation Therapy With Chemotherapy (SYMPATHY): A Prospective Single-Center Phase 1 Study. Ma, TM., Yang, T., Philipson, R., et al.[2023]

The CancerHelp-Talking Touchscreen (CancerHelp-TT) program significantly improved cancer knowledge among patients with Stage I-III breast or colorectal cancer, with an effect size of 0.48, indicating its effectiveness in enhancing patient understanding during treatment.

While the intervention showed positive trends in self-efficacy, health beliefs, and satisfaction with communication, the overall effect sizes were small, suggesting that additional support may be necessary for vulnerable patients outside of cancer clinic settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Low Literacy, Multimedia Health Information Technology Intervention to Enhance Patient-Centered Cancer Care in Safety Net Settings Increased Cancer Knowledge in a Randomized Controlled Trial. Peipert, JD., Lad, T., Khosla, PG., et al.[2023]

A study involving 77 cancer patients (37 with gynaecological cancer and 40 with prostate cancer) found that both electronic and paper formats of patient-reported toxicity questionnaires yielded consistent and reliable results in measuring treatment-related side effects after radiotherapy.

Patients generally found both formats clear and easy to use, with nearly half having no preference, indicating that electronic data capture for reporting toxicity is feasible and acceptable in clinical settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of data capture for patient-reported toxicity following radiotherapy for prostate or cervical cancer. Farnell, DJ., Routledge, J., Hannon, R., et al.[2022]

The Assisted Radiation Oncology Mobile Application (AROMA) was developed to improve communication between patients and radiation oncologists, and it received a high satisfaction rating of 8.6 out of 10 from users, indicating its potential effectiveness.

In a study involving 41 patients, the application was particularly praised for its side effect reporting function (94% positive feedback) and overall communication capabilities (91% positive feedback), suggesting it could enhance patient management during radiotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of an Integrated Mobile Application System for Patients with Radiation Therapy: A Pilot Study. Park, J., Yea, JW., Oh, SA., et al.[2022]

Citations

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Among specific reasons for using the app, over 40% of the participants agreed that the app helped them better understand their treatment and ...

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We found that the majority of apps were general symptom or pain trackers and a minority were designed specifically for patients with cancer.

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link.springer.com

link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00066-023-02048-y

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Therefore, this review aims to summarize data on the scientific reception of apps in radiation oncology in the literature and to gain ...

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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6137282/

Supportive Care in Radiotherapy Based on a Mobile App

Patients showed a high overall readiness to use a mobile app in the context of radiotherapy: 73.3% (146/200) of all patients judged using a ...