Technology-based supportive care for metastatic breast cancer patients.

Abstract

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients are living longer. However, symptom burden remains a significant issue. Technology-based interventions may assist. The purpose of this study was to test a virtual assistant for addressing symptoms in MBC using the Amazon Echo Show with Alexa. In this partial crossover randomized trial, the immediate treatment group was exposed to the intervention, called Nurse AMIE (Addressing Metastatic Individuals Everyday) for 6months. The comparison group was unexposed for the first 3months and then exposed for 3months. The randomized controlled trial (RCT) during the first 3months allowed for the evaluation of intervention effects on symptoms and function. The partial crossover maximized exposure to the intervention for evaluation of feasibility, usability, and satisfaction. RCT outcome data were collected at baseline and 3months. Feasibility, usability, and satisfaction data were collected throughout the first 3months of intervention exposure. Forty-two MBC patients were randomized (1:1). Participants were 53 ± 11years old and 4 ± 7years from diagnosis with metastatic disease. No significant effects on psychosocial distress, pain, sleep disturbance, fatigue (vitality), quality of life, or chair stands were noted, despite high levels of acceptability (51%), feasibility (65%), and satisfaction (70%). A high level of participant acceptability, feasibility, usability, and satisfaction all suggest further research on this platform is warranted. The lack of statistically significant effects on symptoms, quality of life, and function may be the result of small sample size. NCT04673019 (registration date: December 17, 2020).