Leveraging Digital Technology to Enhance Mind-Body Approaches in Cancer Treatment
Abstract
PURPOSE: Cancer treatment involves significant psychological and emotional challenges. Conventional therapies often diminish quality of life, exacerbating stress, anxiety, and depression. Mind-body practices, such as sophrology, offer complementary solutions to improve well-being. Digital technology has expanded access to these practices, providing personalized tools to manage stress and emotional health remotely. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This review examines digital applications in cancer care, focusing on sophrology and other mind-body techniques. Studies evaluating the efficacy of digital platforms and artificial intelligence–driven interventions for stress management, fatigue reduction, and psychological support are analyzed, highlighting their impact on patient outcomes. RESULTS: Digital platforms integrating sophrology significantly alleviate cancer-related side effects. The ePAL app reduced pain scores by 30% over 8 weeks, and StressProffen improved fatigue scores by 20% and adherence to stress management (75% v 50% in controls). The PINK! app increased physical activity by 35% and reduced psychological distress by 30% over 12 weeks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, internet-based mindfulness programs reduced anxiety by 18% and depression by 22%. These tools enhance autonomy and promote community support through virtual sessions, reducing isolation. CONCLUSION: Digital technology complements traditional cancer treatments, improving patient access, personalization, and adherence. Challenges such as digital literacy, data privacy, and regulatory oversight must be addressed. These tools provide holistic support and foster resilience, enhancing the cancer care continuum.
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Mobile applications can deliver tailored therapeutic programs while enhancing accessibility and adherence.
“With widespread adoption and personalized features, mobile applications can deliver tailored therapeutic programs while enhancing accessibility and adherence [9].”
From User Experience and Clinical Utility of a Smartphone-Based Application for Hwa-Byung Treatment: a protocol for a single-arm prospective pilot study. (2026) · cites this paper as [9]
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- Authors
- Heudel, P., & Ubelmann, C.
- Affiliations
- Centre Léon Bérard (FR)
- Body-Mind Psychotherapist, Lyon, France
- ORCID
- Heudel, Pierre
- Venue
- JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics
- Published
- 2025-03
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- e2400293-e2400293
- ISSN
- 2473-4276 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4408781103
- Cited by
- 2
- References
- 39
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1
- FWCI
- 0.23
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Keywords
- mind-body interventions, sophrology, digital health applications, cancer patients, stress management, fatigue, psychological distress, artificial intelligence interventions, COVID-19 pandemic, digital literacy, data privacy, patient autonomy, quality of life
- MeSH terms
- Digital Technology, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Anxiety, Humans, Neoplasms, Quality of Life, Stress, Psychological, Telemedicine, Mind-Body Therapies, Mobile Applications, Mindfulness
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