Premium
Brief culturally informed smartphone interventions decrease breast cancer symptom burden among Latina breast cancer survivors
Author(s) -
Yanez Betina,
Oswald Laura B.,
Baik Sharon H.,
Buitrago Diana,
Iacobelli Francisco,
PerezTamayo Alejandra,
Guitelman Judy,
Penedo Frank J.,
Buscemi Joanna
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.5281
Subject(s) - breast cancer , medicine , psychological intervention , quality of life (healthcare) , population , cancer , gerontology , randomized controlled trial , intervention (counseling) , family medicine , physical therapy , psychiatry , nursing , environmental health , surgery
Objective Latina breast cancer survivors (BCS) report more symptom burden and poorer health‐related quality of life than non‐Latina BCS. However, there are few evidence‐based and culturally informed resources that are easily accessible to this population. This study aimed to establish the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the My Guide and My Health smartphone applications among Latina BCS. Both applications are culturally informed and contain evidence‐based information for reducing symptom burden and improving health‐related quality of life ( My Guide ) or healthy lifestyle promotion ( My Health ). Methods Participants (N = 80) were randomized to use the My Guide or My Health smartphone applications for 6 weeks. Assessments occurred at baseline (T1) after the 6‐week intervention (T2) and 2‐week post‐T2 (T3). Outcomes were participant recruitment and retention rates, patient‐reported satisfaction, and validated measures of symptom burden and health‐related quality of life. Results Recruitment was acceptable (79%), retention was excellent (>90%), and over 90% of participants were satisfied with their application. On average, participants in both conditions used the applications for more than 1 hour per week. Symptom burden declined from T1 to T2 across both conditions, but this decline was not maintained at T3. Breast cancer well‐being improved from T1 to T2 across both conditions and was maintained at T3. Conclusions Latina BCS who used the My Guide and My Health applications reported temporary decreases in symptom burden and improved breast cancer well‐being over time, though there were no differential effects between conditions. Findings suggest that technology may facilitate Latina BCS engagement in care after breast cancer treatment.