Mobile Breast Cancer e-Support Program for Chinese Women With Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy (Part 3): Secondary Data Analysis

Abstract

Background Many app-based interventions targeting women with breast cancer have been developed and tested for effectiveness. However, information regarding the evaluation of the usage of these interventions is scarce. A better understanding of usage data is important to determine how women use apps and how these interventions affect health outcomes. Objective This study aimed to examine the usage duration and login frequency of an app-based intervention, the Breast Cancer e-Support (BCS) program, and to investigate the association between usage data and participants’ demographic and medical characteristics. Methods This study is a secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of the BCS program. The BCS program contains four modules: Learning Forum, Discussion Forum, Ask-the-Expert Forum, and Your Story Forum. A total of 57 women in the intervention group accessed the BCS program during their 12-week chemotherapy. The app’s background system tracked the usage duration and login frequency for each forum and the entire BCS program. Results The total usage duration per participant ranged from 0 to 9371 minutes, and the login frequency per participant ranged from 0 to 774 times. The Discussion Forum and the Learning Forum were the most frequently used modules. The general linear model showed that age, education, family monthly income, and employment were associated with BCS usage duration and/or login frequency. Age (F1,45=10.09, P=.003, B=115.34, 95% CI 42.22-188.47) and education level (F1,45=7.22, P=.01, B=1949.63, 95% CI 487.76-3411.50) were positively associated with the usage duration of the entire BCS program. Family monthly income was positively associated with the usage duration of the Learning Forum (F1,45=11.85, P=.001, B=1488.55, 95% CI 617.58-2359.51) and the login frequency of the entire BCS program (F1,45=4.47, P=.04, B=113.68, 95% CI 5.33-222.03). Employment was negatively associated with the usage duration of the Ask-the-expert Forum (F1,45=4.50, P=.04, B=–971.87, 95% CI –1894.66 to –49.07) and the Your Story Forum (F1,45=5.36, P=.03, B=–640.71, 95% CI –1198.30 to –83.11) and positively associated with the login frequency of the entire BCS program (F1,45=10.86, P=.002, B=192.88, 95% CI 75.01-310.74). No statistical differences were found between BCS usage data and cancer stage, BMI, comorbidity, types of surgery, or cycles of chemotherapy. Conclusions Overall, this study found considerable variability in the usage of app-based interventions. When health care professionals incorporate app-based interventions into their routine care for women with breast cancer, the learning and discussion functions of apps should be strengthened to promote engagement. Additionally, characteristics of women with breast cancer, such as age, level of education, income, and employment status, should be taken in consideration to develop tailored apps that address their particular needs and therefore improve their engagement with the app. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616000639426; http://www.ANZCTR.org.au/ACTRN12616000639426.aspx

Electronic Health Interventions for Patients With Breast Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses

“… 60 , 64 Most primarily focused on QOL 37 , 43 - 47 , 49 , 50 , 55 , 57 - 61 , 68 or mental health (depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and distress), 38 , 43 , 48 , 56 , 62 , 65 , 66 and some on physical health (physical activity, fatigue, and nutrition) 34 , 57 , 61 or self-efficacy. 39 , 64 , 71 Process evaluations were collected in 25/32 (78.1%) studies (Data Supplement 1). 34 - 36 , 38 , 39 , 41 - 50 , 52 , 53 , 56 - 59 , 61 , 62 , 64 - 67 , 69 , 71 , 72 Measurement details (questionnaires and domains) and data inclusions and exclusions for the meta-analyses are presented in Data Supplements 1 and 2.…”

“…60,64 Most primarily focused on QOL 37,[43][44][45][46][47]49,50,55,[57][58][59][60][61]68 or mental health (depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and distress), 38,43,48,56,62,65,66 and some on physical health (physical activity, fatigue, and nutrition) 34,57,61 or self-efficacy. 39,64,71 Process evaluations were collected in 25/32 (78.1%) studies (Data Supplement 1). [34][35][36]38,39,[41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50]52,53,[56][57][58]…”

Mobile applications for early breast cancer chemotherapy-related symptoms reporting and management: A scoping review

“…There was one mixed-method study [19] and two study protocols [16,20]. Five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) [13][14][15]17,18], one nonrandomized controlled prospective cohort study [12], as well as one secondary data analysis of RCT [21] were identified. The earliest study dated from 2016 [13], and the most recent was published in 2021 [15].…”

“…Positive correlation of Cancer e-Support Program usage duration with self-efficacy (r = 0.290, p = .03), social support (r = 0.320, p = .02), and quality of life (r = 0.273, p = .04) at 3 months. 2020, China [21] Secondary data analysis of the multicentre, singleblinded, RCT [18] Intervention group from RCT [18] Mobile nutritional aspects of care via the app was efficiently integrated in clinical routine [38].…”

“…In the process of app utility and engagement assessment, authors of Interaktor app and the Mobile Breast Cancer e-Support Program, enrolled participants from intervention groups of previous RCTs [17,18] to additional follow-up studies [19,21]. Interaktor, Breast Cancer Patient Support System (BPSS), Consilium and Breast Cancer e-Support (BCS) applications were tested on female patients, whereas for mPRO Mamma and Msemptom apps, gender of participants was not indicated.…”