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Characterizing Breakthrough Cancer Pain Using Ecological Momentary Assessment with a Smartphone App: Feasibility and Clinical Findings

Author

Listed:
  • Francisco Villegas

    (Consorcio Hospitalario Provincial de Castellón, Pain and Radiotherapy Units, 12002 Castellón, Spain)

  • Verónica Martínez-Borba

    (Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castellón, Spain
    Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Carlos Suso-Ribera

    (Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castellón, Spain)

  • Diana Castilla

    (Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatments, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
    CIBER of Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERON), 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Irene Zaragoza

    (CIBER of Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERON), 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Azucena García-Palacios

    (Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castellón, Spain
    CIBER of Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERON), 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Carlos Ferrer

    (Consorcio Hospitalario Provincial de Castellón, Pain and Radiotherapy Units, 12002 Castellón, Spain)

Abstract

Background: mobile applications (apps) facilitate cancer pain ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and provide more reliable data than retrospective monitoring. The aims of this study are (a) to describe the status of persons with cancer pain when assessed ecologically, (b) to analyze the utility of clinical alarms integrated into the app, and (c) to test the feasibility of implementing an app for daily oncological pain monitoring. Methods: in this feasibility study, 21 patients (mean age = 56.95 years, SD = 10.53, 81.0% men) responded to an app-based evaluation of physical status (baseline and breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP)) and mental health variables (fatigue, mood, and coping) daily during 30 days. Results: cancer pain characterization with the app was similar to data from the literature using retrospective assessments in terms of BTcP duration and perceived medication effectiveness. However, BTcP was less frequent when evaluated ecologically. Pain, fatigue, and mood were comparable in the morning and evening. Passive coping strategies were the most employed daily. Clinical alarms appear to be useful to detect and address adverse events. App implementation was feasible and acceptable. Conclusion: apps reduce recall bias and facilitate a rapid response to adverse events in oncological care. Future efforts should be addressed to integrate EMA and ecological momentary interventions to facilitate pain self-management via apps.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco Villegas & Verónica Martínez-Borba & Carlos Suso-Ribera & Diana Castilla & Irene Zaragoza & Azucena García-Palacios & Carlos Ferrer, 2021. "Characterizing Breakthrough Cancer Pain Using Ecological Momentary Assessment with a Smartphone App: Feasibility and Clinical Findings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:5991-:d:567943
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carlos Suso-Ribera & Diana Castilla & Irene Zaragozá & Ángela Mesas & Anna Server & Javier Medel & Azucena García-Palacios, 2020. "Telemonitoring in Chronic Pain Management Using Smartphone Apps: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Usual Assessment against App-Based Monitoring with and without Clinical Alarms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-23, September.
    2. Joshua Smyth & Arthur Stone, 2003. "Ecological Momentary Assessment Research in Behavioral medicine," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 4(1), pages 35-52, March.
    3. Femke Beute & Yvonne De Kort & Wijnand IJsselsteijn, 2016. "Restoration in Its Natural Context: How Ecological Momentary Assessment Can Advance Restoration Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-19, April.
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    1. Verónica Martínez-Borba & Carlos Suso-Ribera & Amanda Díaz-García & Judith Salat-Batlle & Diana Castilla & Irene Zaragoza & Azucena García-Palacios & Judit Sánchez-Raya, 2021. "mHealth for the Monitoring of Brace Compliance and Wellbeing in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis: Study Protocol for a Feasibility Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-22, July.

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