Effects of smartphone interventions on cancer knowledge and coping among Latina breast cancer survivors: Secondary analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: The My Guide smartphone application was developed to improve quality of life and symptom burden (primary outcomes) for Latina breast cancer survivors (BCS) and tested in a pilot randomized controlled trial compared to an attention-control condition (My Health smartphone application). This secondary analysis examined effects on breast cancer knowledge, coping, and cancer-related self-efficacy (intervention targets).Method: Latina BCS (N = 78) were randomized to My Guide or My Health for six weeks. Linear mixed-effects modeling evaluated the effects of time and study condition on the intervention targets. Effects by engagement were explored. Results: Both conditions showed improved breast cancer knowledge (p < 0.001), with a trend for greatest improvement among My Guide high users (p = 0.082). My Guide participants reported less self-blame overall than My Health participants (p = 0.020). There were no effects on cancer-related self-efficacy (ps > 0.05). Conclusion: Culturally-informed smartphone applications may enhance breast cancer knowledge and promote adaptive coping among Latina BCS.

Keywords:

• breast neoplasms
• clinical trial
• Hispanic Americans
• psychological adaptation
• telemedicine

Disclosure statement

Dr. Penedo discloses that he is a compensated consultant for Blue Note Therapeutics. No potential conflict of interest was reported by the other authors.

Availability of data and material

The data that support the findings of this study are not publicly available because of ethical restrictions. This to ensure data confidentiality and to protect the privacy of the research participants in this study.

Additional information

Funding

Research reported in this publication was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute grants U54-CA-202995, U54-CA-202997, and U54-CA-203000. Authors LBO and SHB were supported by the National Cancer Institute training grant T32-CA-193193. The content reported here is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.