Mobile Health App for Cancer Advance Care Planning

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+6 other locations

Overseen by Megan J Shen, PhD.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Disqualifiers: Non-English, Cognitive impairment, Hospice, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This clinical trial tests a new mobile health application (app) called Planning Advance Care Together (PACT) to help people with cancer talk about and plan for advance care planning (the care they would want if they were unable to communicate) with their loved ones and doctors. The development of the PACT mobile app may help future patients incorporate their social network (typically, but not exclusively, family) into the advance care planning process.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on using a mobile app for planning care, so it's unlikely to require changes to your medication.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment PACT in the Mobile Health App for Cancer Advance Care Planning trial?

Research suggests that mobile apps can help with advance care planning by allowing patients to document their care preferences and share them with others, which may support patient-centered care and autonomy. However, existing apps often have limitations in features and design quality, indicating room for improvement in their effectiveness. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the PACT treatment differ from other treatments for cancer advance care planning?

The PACT treatment is unique because it uses a mobile health app to facilitate advance care planning, helping patients express their care preferences and communicate them effectively. Unlike traditional methods, this app-based approach emphasizes patient autonomy and ease of use, making it more accessible and engaging for patients. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Research Team

Megan J Shen, PhD.

Principal Investigator

Fred Hutch/University of Washington Cancer Consortium

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 with advanced cancers like pancreatic, liver, lung, or gynecological cancer who've had at least one round of chemotherapy. Participants need internet access on a mobile device and an English-speaking loved one to join the study. It's not for those under 18, in hospice care, severely cognitively impaired, non-English speakers, or too ill to do interviews.

Inclusion Criteria

I have a smartphone or tablet with internet for the study.

My caregiver speaks English, is over 18, and can legally agree to help.

I am 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

I am not in hospice care.

I am too sick or weak to complete interviews.

I am under 18 years old.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants are randomized to use the PACT mHealth app or engage in standard care

3 months

Ongoing app usage and standard care visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for usability, engagement, and changes in advance care planning

3 months

Follow-up assessments at 3 and 6 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• PACT (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial Overview The trial is testing the PACT mobile app designed to facilitate advance care planning discussions among cancer patients with their families and doctors. The aim is to integrate social support into making future healthcare decisions if they can't communicate themselves.

Participant Groups

Group I: Arm I (PACT) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants use PACT mHealth app.

Group II: Arm II (standard care) Active Control 2 Interventions

Participants engage in standard care with no modifications.

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations Nearby Select from list below to view details:

Fred Hutch/University of Washington Cancer Consortium Seattle, WA

NYP/Weill Cornell Medical Center New York, NY

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, NY

More Trial Locations

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1103

Patients Recruited

1,157,000+

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

583

Patients Recruited

1,341,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14080

Patients Recruited

41,180,000+

Findings from Research

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Interdisciplinary Communication: Documentation of Advance Care Planning and End-of-Life Care in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer. Watson, A., Weaver, M., Jacobs, S., et al.[2020]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Toward improved goals-of-care documentation in advanced cancer: report on the development of a quality improvement initiative. Harle, I., Karim, S., Raskin, W., et al.[2022]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile Applications for Advance Care Planning: A Comprehensive Review of Features, Quality, Content, and Readability. McDarby, M., Llaneza, D., George, L., et al.[2022]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Forms or Free-Text? Measuring Advance Care Planning Activity Using Electronic Health Records. Zupanc, SN., Lakin, JR., Volandes, AE., et al.[2023]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Yet Unrealized Promise: Structured Advance Care Planning Elements in the Electronic Health Record. Lakin, JR., Gundersen, DA., Lindvall, C., et al.[2022]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of an app for promoting advance care planning and motivating patients to write their advance directives. Schöpfer, C., Bollondi, C., Moussa, MA., et al.[2023]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of an advance care planning web-based resource: applicability for cancer treatment patients. Cresswell, MA., Robinson, CA., Fyles, G., et al.[2022]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and Usability Aspects of Continuous Remote Monitoring of Health Status in Palliative Cancer Patients Using Wearables. Pavic, M., Klaas, V., Theile, G., et al.[2020]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Mobile App for Advance Care Planning and Advance Directives (Accordons-nous): Development and Usability Study. Schöpfer, C., Ehrler, F., Berger, A., et al.[2022]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Interdisciplinary Communication: Documentation of Advance Care Planning and End-of-Life Care in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer. [2020]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Toward improved goals-of-care documentation in advanced cancer: report on the development of a quality improvement initiative. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile Applications for Advance Care Planning: A Comprehensive Review of Features, Quality, Content, and Readability. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Forms or Free-Text? Measuring Advance Care Planning Activity Using Electronic Health Records. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Yet Unrealized Promise: Structured Advance Care Planning Elements in the Electronic Health Record. [2022]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of an app for promoting advance care planning and motivating patients to write their advance directives. [2023]

7. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of an advance care planning web-based resource: applicability for cancer treatment patients. [2022]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and Usability Aspects of Continuous Remote Monitoring of Health Status in Palliative Cancer Patients Using Wearables. [2020]

9. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Mobile App for Advance Care Planning and Advance Directives (Accordons-nous): Development and Usability Study. [2022]