Prospective trial on telemonitoring of geriatric cancer patients using handheld devices
Buergy D, Siefert V, Neumaier C, Ganslandt T, Sperk E, Blessing M, Hesser J, Welzel G, Wenz F, Giordano FA (2020)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2020
Journal
Book Volume: 196
Pages Range: 205-212
Journal Issue: 3
DOI: 10.1007/s00066-019-01548-0
Abstract
Purpose and objective: Randomized trials indicate that electronic or app-based assessment of patient-reported outcomes may improve outcomes in cancer patients. To analyze if an app-based follow-up would be accepted by elderly cancer patients, we conducted a single-center prospective feasibility study (NCT03196050). Materials and methods: Cancer patients (≥60 years) without concurrent uncontrolled severe medical conditions and a Karnofsky performance status (KPS) ≥70 were eligible if they were able to use the smartphone app. The primary endpoint was compliance over 1 year, calculated as patient-specific and study date-specific response rate to questions sent as push notifications; in this interim analysis, we report on 4‑month data. Secondary outcomes included a comparison of a subjective health status item (SPHS) with the physician-rated KPS. Results: Out of 225 patients screened, 54 patients agreed to participate and 29 activated the app and participated in the study. The mean age was 66 years (61–78). The individual compliance rate averaged at 58.3% (standard deviation SD = 35%). Daily compliance was 53.3% on average (SD = 10.8%) and declined over time. The average percentage of patients who sent answers at least weekly was 75.0% (SD = 14.8%) and declined from 100% in week 1 to 53.8% in week 17 post-enrollment. Secondary outcomes indicated that questionnaires such as the EORTC-QLQ-C30 are accepted via app and that there is a significant moderate correlation between the SPHS and KPS scores (r = 0.566; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our data indicate that an app-based follow-up incorporating EORTC questionnaires might be possible in highly selected elderly cancer patients with modest compliance rates. Further trials should aim at an increased participation rate.
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Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Buergy, D., Siefert, V., Neumaier, C., Ganslandt, T., Sperk, E., Blessing, M.,... Giordano, F.A. (2020). Prospective trial on telemonitoring of geriatric cancer patients using handheld devices. Strahlentherapie und Onkologie, 196(3), 205-212. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-019-01548-0
MLA:
Buergy, Daniel, et al. "Prospective trial on telemonitoring of geriatric cancer patients using handheld devices." Strahlentherapie und Onkologie 196.3 (2020): 205-212.
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