Improving adherence and health outcomes in testicular cancer survivors using a mobile health-based intervention: A mixed-methods pilot study
Objective Testicular cancer (TC) is one of the most common cancers among young men, with survival rates exceeding 97% due to effective treatments. Post-treatment follow-up care is important for long-term survival and monitoring psychosocial symptoms, yet TC survivors (TCS) show poor adherence to pos...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Digital Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231167002 |
| _version_ | 1797842813546659840 |
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| author | Julie M Deleemans Sunil Samnani Chris Lloyd Nimira Alimohamed |
| author_facet | Julie M Deleemans Sunil Samnani Chris Lloyd Nimira Alimohamed |
| author_sort | Julie M Deleemans |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective Testicular cancer (TC) is one of the most common cancers among young men, with survival rates exceeding 97% due to effective treatments. Post-treatment follow-up care is important for long-term survival and monitoring psychosocial symptoms, yet TC survivors (TCS) show poor adherence to post-treatment care. Mobile-health-based interventions show high acceptability in men with cancer. This study will examine the feasibility of using the Zamplo health app to improve adherence to post-treatment care and support psychosocial outcomes in TCS. Methods This mixed-methods, longitudinal, single-arm pilot study will recruit N = 30 patients with a diagnosis of TC who finished treatment within ≤ 6 months and are currently aged ≥18 years old. Adherence to follow-up appointments (e.g. blood work, scans) will be assessed (primary outcome), and measures for fatigue, depression, anxiety, sexual satisfaction and function, social roles satisfaction, general mental and physical health and body image (secondary outcomes) will be completed at four-time points: baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. One-on-one semi-structured interviews will be conducted post-intervention (month 12). Results Improvements in post-treatment follow-up appointment adherence and psychosocial outcomes will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired samples t-tests to determine changes across time points 1 through 4, and correlation analysis. Qualitative data will be analyzed using thematic analysis. Conclusion Findings will inform future, larger trials that incorporate evaluation of sustainability and economic implications to improve adherence to TC follow-up guidelines. Findings will be disseminated via infographics, social media, publications and presentations conducted in partnership with TC support organizations and at conferences. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T16:54:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fffdd3d1ab2a42ffa49e5ba94088a481 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2055-2076 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T16:54:20Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Digital Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-fffdd3d1ab2a42ffa49e5ba94088a4812023-04-21T07:03:56ZengSAGE PublishingDigital Health2055-20762023-04-01910.1177/20552076231167002Improving adherence and health outcomes in testicular cancer survivors using a mobile health-based intervention: A mixed-methods pilot studyJulie M Deleemans0Sunil Samnani1Chris Lloyd2Nimira Alimohamed3 Zamplo Research Inc., Calgary, Canada Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada OneBall Charitable Cancer Organization, Calgary, Canada Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, CanadaObjective Testicular cancer (TC) is one of the most common cancers among young men, with survival rates exceeding 97% due to effective treatments. Post-treatment follow-up care is important for long-term survival and monitoring psychosocial symptoms, yet TC survivors (TCS) show poor adherence to post-treatment care. Mobile-health-based interventions show high acceptability in men with cancer. This study will examine the feasibility of using the Zamplo health app to improve adherence to post-treatment care and support psychosocial outcomes in TCS. Methods This mixed-methods, longitudinal, single-arm pilot study will recruit N = 30 patients with a diagnosis of TC who finished treatment within ≤ 6 months and are currently aged ≥18 years old. Adherence to follow-up appointments (e.g. blood work, scans) will be assessed (primary outcome), and measures for fatigue, depression, anxiety, sexual satisfaction and function, social roles satisfaction, general mental and physical health and body image (secondary outcomes) will be completed at four-time points: baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. One-on-one semi-structured interviews will be conducted post-intervention (month 12). Results Improvements in post-treatment follow-up appointment adherence and psychosocial outcomes will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired samples t-tests to determine changes across time points 1 through 4, and correlation analysis. Qualitative data will be analyzed using thematic analysis. Conclusion Findings will inform future, larger trials that incorporate evaluation of sustainability and economic implications to improve adherence to TC follow-up guidelines. Findings will be disseminated via infographics, social media, publications and presentations conducted in partnership with TC support organizations and at conferences.https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231167002 |
| spellingShingle | Julie M Deleemans Sunil Samnani Chris Lloyd Nimira Alimohamed Improving adherence and health outcomes in testicular cancer survivors using a mobile health-based intervention: A mixed-methods pilot study Digital Health |
| title | Improving adherence and health outcomes in testicular cancer survivors using a mobile health-based intervention: A mixed-methods pilot study |
| title_full | Improving adherence and health outcomes in testicular cancer survivors using a mobile health-based intervention: A mixed-methods pilot study |
| title_fullStr | Improving adherence and health outcomes in testicular cancer survivors using a mobile health-based intervention: A mixed-methods pilot study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improving adherence and health outcomes in testicular cancer survivors using a mobile health-based intervention: A mixed-methods pilot study |
| title_short | Improving adherence and health outcomes in testicular cancer survivors using a mobile health-based intervention: A mixed-methods pilot study |
| title_sort | improving adherence and health outcomes in testicular cancer survivors using a mobile health based intervention a mixed methods pilot study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231167002 |
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