This scoping review explores the application of mHealth technology in prostate cancer (CaP) management along the survivorship continuum.
The scoping review was conducted using the five-step framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley. Using predefined criteria, we screened citations from Embase, EBSCOHost, Cochrane Library, PubMed, ProQuest, SCOPUS, and Web of Science for primary studies published before December 2021. We selected studies that explored the application of mHealth technology in CaP management and survivorship. Evidence from 14 eligible studies was summarized using narrative synthesis.
Fourteen studies published between 2015 and 2021 were included. Ten mHealth apps were identified with only one still in use. Most apps were explored for their supportive care roles during radiotherapy (n = 9) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) (n = 1) treatment, mainly to assess outcomes (n = 1) and manage patient-reported symptoms (n = 5). One study deployed mHealth to facilitate recovery after surgery. Very few studies (n = 3) applied mHealth for lifestyle management (i.e., physical activity). Barriers to app usage included connectivity issues, end-user familiarity with the app, login hurdles, and time constraints. Facilitators of app usage included apps being downloaded for participants, devices provided for participants, and the ability to connect with providers through the platform.
The improving survival rates from CaP suggest that men are now living longer with unfavorable treatment side effects such as reduced sexual functioning, pain, and fatigue. Hence, mHealth represents new hope in men's illness trajectory. However, current application in patients' care pathways remains poor, particularly in the active phase of CaP management. Efforts must be accelerated to explore individual and healthcare-level drivers of mHealth use. The feasibility and descriptive nature of current studies point to a lack of attention to actual implementation and scale-up issues in research considering mHealth application in CaP, hence accounting partly for the gap in research/practice.
Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice. 2023 Jan 11 [Epub ahead of print]
Motolani E Ogunsanya, Munjireen Sifat, Olufikayo O Bamidele, Elochukwu F Ezenwankwo, Shari Clifton, Chelsea Ton, Jennifer M Knight, Folakemi T Odedina, Joseph A Greer, Kathleen Dwyer, Darla E Kendzor
College of Pharmacy, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA. ., TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA., Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK., Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK., Health Sciences Library & Information Management, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA., College of Pharmacy, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA., Departments of Psychiatry, Medicine, and Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA., Center for Health Equity & Community Engagement Research, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA., Center for Psychiatric Oncology & Behavioral Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA., College of Nursing, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.