A randomized controlled trial of a mobile app and tailored messages to improve outcomes among women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy.

Authors

null

Ilana Graetz

Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA

Ilana Graetz , Xin Hu , Mehmet Kocak , Rebecca A Krukowski , Janeane Nicole Anderson , Teresa Waters , Andrea Curry , Andrew J. Paladino , Edward Stepanski , Gregory A. Vidal , Lee S. Schwartzberg

Organizations

Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, International School of Medicine, Instabul, Turkey, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottsville, VA, Department of Community and Population Health, College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, KY, West Cancer Center, Germantown, TN, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, Ovation.io, Cambridge, MA, The West Cancer Center, Germantown, TN, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV

Research Funding

U.S. National Institutes of Health
U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Background: Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) use among women with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer reduces the risk of cancer recurrence, but adverse symptoms contribute to lower adherence. We evaluated the effectiveness of an app that integrates patient-reported outcomes with electronic health records and tailored messages. Methods: Women with early-stage breast cancer initiating AET (November 2018-June 2021) were randomized into three arms: (1) an “App” group that received instructions and access to the study app and weekly text reminders to use it; (2) an “App+Feedback (AF)” group received additional weekly tailored messages about managing symptoms, adherence, and communication; or (3) a “Usual Care (UC)” group without access to the app. The intervention lasted 6-months and participants completed surveys at enrollment, 6-, and 12-months. Increasing/severe symptoms and missed doses triggered alerts that prompted follow-ups from the oncology team. Outcomes included AET adherence, captured using an electronically monitored pillbox and self-reported adherence, symptom burden (FACT-ES), mental and physical health quality of life (SF-12), self-efficacy for managing symptoms (PROMIS 1.0), and 6-month count of emergency department visits/urgent care/hospitalizations [higher cost encounters] and office visits. Results: Overall, 300 women were randomized (102 UC, 96 App, and 102 AF). Median age was 60 years (range: 31–83), 34% identified as Black, 21% had incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level, and 20% had a high school degree or less education. Retention at 12-months was 88% (N=264). Mean app logins were 14.4 among intervention participants, which resulted in 4.2 mean alerts, with 58.0% having at least one alert during the 6-month intervention. AET adherence over 12-months measured using the pillbox was similar across groups: 76% for UC, 73% for App, and 71% for AF (p=0.57). At 12-months, AF participants had fewer higher cost care encounters over the previous 6 months (0.30, 95%CI: 0.15 to 0.45, p=0.01) compared to UC (0.71, 95%CI: 0.44 to 0.97) but not for App only vs. UC (0.46, 95% CI: 0.25 to 0.66, p=0.15). Mean mental health scores were 2.0 points better (95% CI: 0.21 to 3.84) at 6-months for AF (43.0) compared to UC (41.0). There were no statistically significant differences by group in self-reported adherence, symptom burden, physical health, self-efficacy for managing symptoms, and office visits at 6- or 12-months. Conclusions: While the intervention did not improve AET adherence, the app combined with tailored messages resulted in better self-reported mental health during the intervention and fewer higher cost care encounters at 12-months without increasing office visits. Symptom monitoring apps with tailored messages may be scalable and effective strategies for improving outcomes for patients with breast cancer. Clinical trial information: NCT03592771.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2023 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Rapid Oral Abstract Session

Session Title

Breast Cancer

Track

Breast Cancer

Sub Track

Adjuvant Therapy

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT03592771

Citation

J Clin Oncol 41, 2023 (suppl 16; abstr 512)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.512

Abstract #

512

Abstract Disclosures