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Cited by 106Mobile Health and mHealth ApplicationsMedication Adherence and ComplianceCancer survivorship and care

Use of a web-based app to improve breast cancer symptom management and adherence for aromatase inhibitors: a randomized controlled feasibility trial

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Graetz, Ilana, McKillop, Caitlin N., Stepanski, Edward, Vidal, Gregory A., Anderson, Janeane N., Schwartzberg, Lee S.·2018·Journal of Cancer Survivorship
DOI 10.1007/s11764-018-0682-zPMC PMC6054536
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Abstract

Purpose For postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, long-term use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) significantly reduces the risk of cancer recurrence and improves survival. Still, many patients are nonadherent due to adverse side effects. We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial to test the use of a web-based application (app) designed with and without weekly reminders for patients to report real-time symptoms and AI use outside of clinic visits with built-in alerts to patients' oncology providers. Our goal was to improve symptom burden and medication adherence. Methods Forty-four women with early-stage breast cancer and a new AI prescription were randomized to either an App+Reminder (weekly reminders to use app) or an App (no reminders) group. Pre- and post-assessment data were collected from all participants. Results Participants in the App+Reminder group had higher weekly app usage rate (74 vs. 38%, p < 0.05) during the intervention and reported higher AI adherence at 8 weeks (100 vs. 72%, p < 0.05). Symptom burden increase was higher for the App group compared to the App+Reminder group but did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions Weekly reminders to use a web-based app to report AI adherence and treatment-related symptoms demonstrated feasibility and improved short-term AI adherence, which may reduce symptom burden for women with breast cancer and a new AI prescription. Implications for cancer survivors If short-term gains in adherence persist, this low-cost intervention could improve survival outcomes for women with breast cancer. A larger, long-term study should examine if AI adherence and symptom burden improvements persist for a 5-year treatment period.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Graetz, I., McKillop, C. N., Stepanski, E., Vidal, G. A., Anderson, J. N., & Schwartzberg, L. S.
Affiliations
  • University of Tennessee Health Science Center (US)
  • SUNY Cortland (US)
Corresponding author
Graetz, Ilana
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Cancer Survivorship
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2018-02-28
Volume
12
Issue
4
Pages
431-440
ISSN
  • 1932-2259 (ISSN-L)
  • 1932-2267
DOI
10.1007/s11764-018-0682-z
PMC
PMC6054536
OpenAlex
W2791567669
Cited by
106
References
10
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 8
FWCI
12.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Cancer Survivorship (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • the University of Tennessee Health Science Center Clinical and Translational Science Institute
  • National Cancer Institute (R01CA218155)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Family Practice › Medication Adherence and Compliance
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
Keywords
aromatase inhibitors, breast cancer, medication adherence, symptom management, web application, mobile health, treatment-related symptoms, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, postmenopausal women, cancer survivorship, feasibility
MeSH terms
Patient Reported Outcome Measures, Assessment of Medication Adherence, Adult, Aged, Breast Neoplasms, Feasibility Studies, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Neoplasm Recurrence, Local, Pilot Projects, Survival Rate, Drug Monitoring, Internet, Aromatase Inhibitors, Medication Adherence, Electronic Health Records, Self Report, Mobile Applications, Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

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