The Use and Effect of the Health Storylines mHealth App on Female Childhood Cancer Survivors' Self-efficacy, Health-Related Quality of Life and Perceived Illness.

BACKGROUND

mHealth apps have been not been well tested among childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) to track physical and psychosocial functioning for improved self-management of post-treatment needs.

OBJECTIVES

This pilot study had 3 aims: (1) assess the usage of the Health Storylines mHealth app; (2) examine its effect in improving self-efficacy in managing survivorship healthcare needs, health-related quality of life, and perceived illness; and (3) determine if app usage moderated the effects on the above patient-reported outcome measures among female CCSs.

METHODS

Study participants accessed the Health Storylines mHealth app on their own personal device. This single-group, pilot study included 3 measurement points: baseline and 3 and 6 months after initiation of using the app.

RESULTS

Use of the mHealth app ranged from 0 times to 902 times. Every study participant who used the app (n = 26) also used the mental health app component of the Health Storylines app. Generalized estimating equations were fit to examine the effect of the mHealth app use on self-efficacy, perceived illness, and health-related quality of life, between baseline, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up. No statistically significant changes were evident, on average, from baseline to 3- or 6-month follow-up on any outcome. Subsequent testing of effect moderation showed differential trends for high versus low users.

CONCLUSIONS

Studies are needed among this clinical population to determine who will benefit and who will perceive the app as a useful aspect of their survivorship care.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Sharing mental health functioning tracked on mhealth apps with healthcare providers may inform needed interventions for young adult female CCSs.