Efficacy of a Mobile App for Assisting in the Self-management of Breast Cancer Patients: Development and Feasibility Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Numerous mobile apps have been developed and applied in cancer patients, yet a comprehensive app that integrates evidence-based medical information, psychological support, and schedule management for breast cancer patients using multidisciplinary medical approaches remains lacking. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether a mobile app designed to assist in the self-management of breast cancer patients is feasible and positively impacts their level of self-efficacy and other psychological aspects. METHODS We have developed an app, the Cancer Manager® (CAMA®; Foundationstem, Seoul, Korea), targeted at breast cancer patients. The CAMA® was developed to assist in the self-management of breast cancer patients and survivors according to cancer trajectory. Its functionalities encompass providing evidence-based digitalized information created by experts, managing patients’ medication and medical appointment schedules, and providing a delayed Q&A system for patients to ask questions to healthcare professionals. In total, 32 breast cancer patients completed the 12-week study protocol. Outcome measures included the Korean version of the Cancer Survivor Self-Efficacy Scale (CS-SES-K), the Korean version of the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (K-Mini-MAC), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). A user satisfaction survey was also conducted. RESULTS After the intervention, the mean score of the seeking help and support subscale of the CS-SES-K (CS-SES-K_Seeking help and support) increased significantly (Z = -2.12, P = .03); meanwhile, that of the anxious preoccupation subscale of the K-Mini-MAC (K-Mini-MAC_Anxious preoccupation; Z = -2.98, P = .003), of the PHQ-9 (Z = -2.19, P = .03), and of the GAD-7 (Z = -1.97, P = .049) decreased significantly. Changes in the scores for the CS-SES-K_Seeking help and support correlated significantly with the changes for the K-Mini-MAC_Anxious preoccupation (r = -.532, P = .002) and for the PHQ-9 (r = -.43, P = .02). Changes in the scores for the K-Mini-MAC_Anxious preoccupation correlated significantly with the changes for the PHQ-9 (r = .48, P = .005). However, the intervention did not show a significant impact on the scores of the WHOQOL-BREF. The feasibility of the app was regarded as generally good. The user satisfaction survey offered insights into the CAMA® app’s positive impact, trust-building outcomes, and opportunities for enhancement, such as the inclusion of communication tools and continued content enrichment. CONCLUSIONS The CAMA® was feasible and effective for increasing self-efficacy for seeking help and support and decreasing anxious preoccupation toward cancer, depressive mood, and anxiety. Further long-term randomized controlled trial studies involving a larger number of patients are warranted for confirming these results. CLINICALTRIAL Clinical Research Information Service KCT0007917; https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do?seq=23348&search_page=L