Mobile applications for early breast cancer chemotherapy-related symptoms reporting and management: A scoping review

Abstract

Background: Mobile applications are more and more often integrated into standard cancer care. Nevertheless, knowledge about the use of mobile applications for monitoring patients during treatment for early breast cancer is still limited.

Methods: A scoping review of literature was performed based on Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines to identify articles providing information on development and use of mobile applications for adult patients undergoing chemotherapy for early breast cancer.

Results: Five randomized controlled trials (RCT), nonrandomized controlled prospective cohort study, secondary data analysis of RCT, mixed method study and two protocol manuscripts were reviewed. Four out of six mobile applications recognized in this review were demonstrated to have interventional value for management of chemotherapy-related side effects. Clinical outcomes achieved among mobile apps users included improved quality of life, lower symptom prevalence and symptom burden.

Conclusions: Mobile applications are feasible and have ability to improve symptom monitoring during cancer treatment. However, more research is needed to validate these resources, ensuring effectiveness and safety for their users.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Early breast cancer; Mobile application; Patient-reported outcomes; Symptom management; Symptom reporting.