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01-03-2020 | Original Article

Prospective trial on telemonitoring of geriatric cancer patients using handheld devices

Authors: Daniel Buergy, Victor Siefert, Christian Neumaier, Thomas Ganslandt, Elena Sperk, Manuel Blessing, Jürgen Hesser, Grit Welzel, Frederik Wenz, Frank Anton Giordano, MD

Published in: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie | Issue 3/2020

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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Title: Prospective trial on telemonitoring of geriatric cancer patients using handheld devices
Authors: Daniel Buergy
Victor Siefert
Christian Neumaier
Thomas Ganslandt
Elena Sperk
Manuel Blessing
Jürgen Hesser
Grit Welzel
Frederik Wenz
Frank Anton Giordano, MD
Publication date: 01-03-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie / Issue 3/2020
Print ISSN: 0179-7158
Electronic ISSN: 1439-099X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-019-01548-0

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Prospective trial on telemonitoring of geriatric cancer patients using handheld devices

Abstract

Purpose and objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose and objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

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