Design and Development of a Multimodal Digital Intervention (SHIFT App) to Address Sexual Dysfunction in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) Survivors.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) survivors frequently experience persistent sexual dysfunction, which is associated with impaired quality of life and increased psychological distress. The lack of availability of clinicians with expertise in sexual health limits the capacity to address sexual health concerns in HSCT survivors. Digital health applications may offer a patient-centered and scalable solution to address sexual health concerns in cancer survivors.

More often than not, we're in sync: patient and caregiver well-being over time in stem cell transplantation.

Background: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an aggressive medical procedure which significantly impacts the shared emotional well-being of patients and family caregivers (FC). Prior work has highlighted the significant overlap in well-being among patients and FCs; however, how this interdependence may change over the course of HSCT has received less attention.

Methods: We conducted secondary analyses of a supportive intervention delivered to 154 FCs of HSCT patients and examined relationships at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months post-HSCT.

A pilot study of mobilized intervention to help caregivers of oncology patients manage distress.

Objective: Caregivers of patients with advanced cancer experience significant anxiety, depression, and distress. Caregivers have barriers to accessing in-person treatment to manage stress. Technology allows for the dissemination of evidence-based interventions in a convenient way.

Randomized Trial of a Smartphone Mobile App to Improve Symptoms and Adherence to Oral Therapy for Cancer.

Background: Patients with cancer are increasingly prescribed oral therapies, bearing greater responsibility for self-management of treatment adherence and adverse events. We conducted a randomized trial to test the use of a smartphone mobile app to improve symptoms and adherence to oral cancer therapy.

Materials And Methods: From February 18, 2015, through December 31, 2016, 181 patients with diverse cancers who were prescribed oral therapy were randomized to receive either the smartphone mobile app or standard care.

Patient Experiences With Oral Chemotherapy: Adherence, Symptoms, and Quality of Life.

Background: Oral therapies are increasingly common in oncology care. However, data are lacking regarding the physical and psychologic symptoms patients experience, or how these factors relate to medication adherence and quality of life (QoL).

Materials And Methods: From December 2014 through August 2016, a total of 181 adult patients who were prescribed oral targeted therapy or chemotherapy enrolled in a randomized study of adherence and symptom management at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center.

Randomized Trial of a Tailored Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Mobile Application for Anxiety in Patients with Incurable Cancer.

Background: The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of a tailored cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) mobile application (app) to treat anxiety in patients with incurable cancer.

Materials And Methods: Patients with incurable cancers ( = 145) who reported elevated anxiety symptoms at two cancer centers were randomized to receive either the CBT mobile app for anxiety or a mobile health education program (control) delivered via tablet computers, which patients self-administered over 12 weeks. To assess anxiety, depression symptoms, and quality of life (QOL), we used the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A, primary outcome), Clinical Global Impression Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General at baseline and 12 weeks.

Pilot study of a multimodal intervention to enhance sexual function in survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Although sexual dysfunction is common after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT), interventions to address sexual function are lacking.

Methods: We conducted a pilot study to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a multimodal intervention to address sexual dysfunction in allogeneic HCT survivors. Transplant clinicians screened HCT survivors ≥3 months post-HCT for sexual dysfunction causing distress.

Correction of: Development of a Web-Based Intervention for Addressing Distress in Caregivers of Patients Receiving Stem Cell Transplants: Formative Evaluation With Qualitative Interviews and Focus Groups.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/resprot.7075.

Development of a Web-Based Intervention for Addressing Distress in Caregivers of Patients Receiving Stem Cell Transplants: Formative Evaluation With Qualitative Interviews and Focus Groups.

Background: Caregivers of cancer patients experience significant burden and distress including depression and anxiety. We previously demonstrated the efficacy of an eight session, in-person, one-on-one stress management intervention to reduce distress in caregivers of patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (allo-HSCT).

Objective: The objective of this study was to adapt and enhance the in-person caregiver stress management intervention to a mobilized website (eg, tablet, smartphone, or computer-based) for self-delivery in order to enhance dissemination to caregiver populations most in need.

Treatment Satisfaction and Adherence to Oral Chemotherapy in Patients With Cancer.

Purpose: Although patients with cancer overwhelming prefer oral to intravenous chemotherapy, little is known about adherence to oral agents. We aimed to identify the rates and correlates of adherence in patients with diverse malignancies.

Materials And Methods: Ninety patients with chronic myeloid leukemia or metastatic renal cell carcinoma, non-small-cell lung cancer, or breast cancer enrolled in this prospective, single-group, observational study of medication-taking behaviors.