Use of Text Messaging (SMS) for the Management of Side Effects in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy Treatment: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Timóteo Matthies Rico, Karina Dos Santos Machado, Vanessa Pellegrini Fernandes, Samanta Winck Madruga, Mateus Madail Santin, Cristiane Rios Petrarca, Samuel Carvalho Dumith, Timóteo Matthies Rico, Karina Dos Santos Machado, Vanessa Pellegrini Fernandes, Samanta Winck Madruga, Mateus Madail Santin, Cristiane Rios Petrarca, Samuel Carvalho Dumith

Abstract

Cancer patients are often not sufficiently oriented to manage side effects at home. Sending text messages with self-care guidelines aimed managing side effects is the main objective of this randomized controlled trial. Patients who started outpatient chemotherapy treatment between March and December 2017 at a hospital in southern Brazil were invited to participate in this study and were allocated to the intervention or control group (ratio 1: 1). Each patient in the intervention group received a daily SMS (short message service) with some guidance on management or prevention of side effects. All text messages were sent to the intervention group patients in an automated and tailored way by our app called cHEmotHErApp. Side effects experienced by patients were verified using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). Results showed intervention group patients experienced fewer side effects compared to the control group in cycle 1 (p < 0.05), in general. In addition, intervention group experienced less nausea in relation to the control group, in the cycle 1 and cycle 2 (p < 0.05). This study indicate text messaging may be a tool for supporting side effect management in patients receiving chemotherapy. This study was enrolled in ClinicalTrials.gov with the identification number NCT03087422. This research was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Keywords: Neoplasms; Patient education; Self-management; Side-effects; Telemedicine; Text-messaging.

Conflict of interest statement

Authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of enrollment, and follow-up of study participants from March 2017 to December 2017
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Side effects experienced by study participants enrolled from March 2017 and December 2017

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