Challenges in a Technology-Based Cancer Pain Management Program Among Asian American Breast Cancer Survivors

Information Needs of Asian American Breast Cancer Survivors: a Decision Tree Analysis

Through a decision tree analysis, this study aimed to determine the characteristics of Asian American breast cancer survivors who had higher decreases in their need for information by a technology-based information and coaching/support program compared with their counterparts. This is a part of a larger randomized controlled trial; only the data from 99 Asian American breast cancer survivors were used for this analysis. The measurement scales included the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form, the Cancer Behavior Inventory, the Questions on Attitudes, Subjective Norm, Perceived Behavioral Control and Behavioral Intention, and the Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form 34. The data analysis was done using t-tests, chi-square tests, repeated measurement analyses, and a decision tree analysis. The information needs scores of all the participants decreased during the 3-month intervention period (p < .005). However, only the intervention group had statistically significant decreases in the information needs scores during the 3 months (dif. =  - 8.545; p < .005). Those with low social influence scores and high self-efficacy scores had significantly larger decreases in their information needs scores compared with the average change scores (100%, p < 01). Asian American breast cancer survivors with low social influences and high self-efficacy would highly benefit from a technology-based intervention for their need for information.

A Decision Tree Analysis on the Impact of a Technology-Based Program on Symptom Distress: Asian American Breast Cancer Survivors

Using a decision tree analysis, this study aimed to identify the characteristics of the groups within Asian American breast cancer survivors whose symptom distress scores were effectively improved by a technology-based program. This was a secondary analysis of the data from an ongoing randomized controlled trial among 115 Asian American breast cancer survivors. The instruments were questions on background factors; the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form; the Cancer Behavior Inventory; the Questions on Attitudes, Subjective Norm, Perceived Behavioral Control, and Behavioral Intention; and the Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form 34. The data were analyzed using chi-square tests, t tests, repeated measurement analyses, and decision tree analyses. The decrease in the global distress index scores was the largest (1.253 points) among those with high psychological support needs. The decrease in the physical symptom distress scale scores was the largest (1.133 points) among those with high physical and daily living support needs who had a short US residence period and who were young. The decrease in the psychological symptom distress scores was the largest (1.511) among those with high psychological support needs. The findings suggest several characteristics of the groups within Asian American breast cancer survivors whose symptom distress could be highly improved by a technology-based intervention.

Mobile health applications for the care of patients with breast cancer: A scoping review

Objectives

In recent years, the use of mobile health applications (mHealth apps) to deliver care for patients with breast cancer has increased exponentially. This study aimed to summarize the available evidence on developing mHealth apps to care for patients with breast cancer and identify the need for systematic efforts.

Methods

A scoping review was performed according to Arksey and O'Malley's framework, aiming to identify eligible research studies in PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science between January 2010 and December 2020. All identified studies were screened, extracted, and analyzed independently by two reviewers.

Results

A total of 676 studies were retrieved, and eight eligible studies were finally included. Four themes emerged: the involvement of patients and health professionals in the phases of design and development, patients' preferences, the characteristics of patients, and the motivators to use mHealth apps. The results indicated promising prospects for using mHealth apps to care for patients with breast cancer and identified the need for systematic efforts to develop and validate relevant apps.

Conclusions

The attributes of patient characteristics, needs, and patient-reported outcomes data are vital components for developing mHealth apps for patients with breast cancer. Additionally, collaborative efforts, including patients, nurses, and other significant health professionals, should develop mHealth apps for breast cancer care. Additional research focusing on the design and development of mHealth apps for patients with breast cancer is warranted.

Components of Culturally Tailored Interventions: A Discussion Paper

The purpose of this article is to propose essential components of culturally tailored interventions through analyzing practical issues in 3 studies that tested culturally tailored interventions among Asian American women. Practical issues in the studies were analyzed using a content analysis according to the evaluation criteria for rigor in cross-cultural research. Seven essential components of culturally tailored interventions were identified through the analysis: (a) respecting cultural uniqueness; (b) understanding cultural contexts; (c) using cultural examples; (d) having flexibility; (e) adopting multiple languages; (f) having bilingual and/or culturally matched research team members; and (g) engaging community consultants and research participants. Key words: Asian, culture, intervention, issue, rigor.