Improving symptom communication through personal digital assistants: the CHAT (Communicating Health Assisted by Technology) project.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Communication problems impede effective symptom management during chemotherapy. The primary aim of this pilot randomized controlled trial was to test the effects of a personal digital assistant-delivered communication intervention on pain, depression, and fatigue symptoms among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Secondary aims included assessment of 1) study feasibility, 2) patient and clinician responses to study participation, and 3) intervention effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and communication self-efficacy.

Methods

Intervention group participants (n = 27) completed symptom inventories at baseline, once per week during treatment, and at posttreatment. Depending on symptom severity, they viewed race-concordant videos on how to com

SUBMITTER: Post DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3881996 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature