App-Based Lifestyle Coaching (PINK!) Accompanying Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors to Reduce Psychological Distress and Fatigue and Improve Physical Activity: A Feasibility Pilot Study

Josefine Wolff; Pia Wuelfing; Alexander Koenig; Brigitte Ehrl; Jana Damsch; Martin Smollich; Freerk Theeagnus Baumann; Nadia Harbeck; Rachel Wuerstlein

doi:10.1159/000531495

App-Based Lifestyle Coaching (PINK!) Accompanying Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors to Reduce Psychological Distress and Fatigue and Improve Physical Activity: A Feasibility Pilot Study

Breast Care (Basel). 2023 Oct;18(5):354-365. doi: 10.1159/000531495. Epub 2023 Jun 16.

Authors

Josefine Wolff¹, Pia Wuelfing², Alexander Koenig¹, Brigitte Ehrl¹, Jana Damsch¹, Martin Smollich³, Freerk Theeagnus Baumann⁴, Nadia Harbeck¹, Rachel Wuerstlein¹

Affiliations

¹ Breast Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and Comprehensive Cancer Center Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, University Hospital, Munich, Germany.
² PINK! gegen Brustkrebs GmbH, Department Clinical Research, Hamburg, Germany.
³ Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany.
⁴ Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

PMID: 37901047
PMCID: PMC10601684 (available on 2024-10-01)
DOI: 10.1159/000531495

Abstract

Introduction: This pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of using an app-based certified medical product named PINK! on breast cancer patients and survivors. The objectives were to measure psychological distress, physical activity, and therapy-related fatigue of patients using PINK! to identify trends and develop a study design for a subsequent multicentric proof of efficacy RCT.

Materials and methods: PINK! offers individualized, evidence-based therapy and side-effect management, mindfulness-based stress reduction, nutritional and psychological education, physical activity tracking, and motivational exercises to implement lifestyle changes sustainably in daily routine. A prospective, intraindividual RCT was performed with n = 60 patients in 2021 at Comprehensive Cancer Center Munich. Patients with BC were included independent of the stage of diseases. The intervention group got access to PINK! over 12 weeks. Control group served as a waiting-list comparison to "standard of care."

Results: Primary efficacy variable analysis revealed a relative average decrease of 32.9% in psychological distress, which corresponds to a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.001) within 12 weeks compared to the control group. Linear regressions within usage groups showed a correlation of high app usage and a reduction of psychological distress. Fatigue data presented a statistically significant antifatigue efficacy (p < 0.001) and physical activity increased by 63.9%.

Conclusion: App-based supportive care offers a promising, low-threshold, and cost-efficient opportunity to improve psychological well-being, quality of life, fatigue, and physical activity. More research is needed to implement eHealth solutions in clinical cancer care.

Keywords: App-based intervention; Breast cancer; Digitale Gesundheitsanwendung; Fatigue; PINK!; Physical activity; Psychological distress; eHealth.

Grants and funding

This research was initiated by Breast Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and Comprehensive Cancer Center Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, University Hospital to investigate the PINK! app and offer it to their patients. LMU was the sponsor of this study.