Mindfulness based intervention through mobile app for colorectal cancer people awaiting surgery: A randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide both in men and women. Around one-third of patients with cancer will suffer from anxiety or depression symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a Mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention through a mobile application ("En Calma en el Quirófano"). METHOD: This study is a multicenter, single-blind (evaluator), controlled, randomised trial that compares the effectiveness of a mindfulness training through a mobile application (intervention group) and treatment as usual (control group) in three different moments (T0 or baseline, T1 or hospital discharge and T2 or one month after surgery). Anxiety and depression symptoms (HADS), quality of life (WHOQOL), pain, (VAS) and satisfaction (CSQ) were assessed. RESULTS: In all, there were 270 referred patients. Among them, 39 and 43 were assigned to the intervention and control groups respectively. 82 patients were analyzed: 39 patients used the app, and 43 patients continued with the treatment as usual. There were no significant changes between groups and time. We observed a slight trend in which intervention group had less depression and anxiety symptoms since T0 and T2 (B = -0.2; 95% CI between 8.8 and 9.2). CONCLUSIONS: The sample of this study had a high mean age (65 years old), and low levels of anxiety and depression and medium levels of pre-surgery quality of life in baseline. These factors could have influenced limiting the effectiveness of the app. Prospective research lines should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of mobile applications for younger patients with surgical pathologies.

Intervención basada en mindfulness a través de una app móvil para personas con cáncer colorrectal en espera de cirugía: ensayo clínico aleatorizado / Mindfulness based intervention through mobile app for colorectal cancer people awaiting surgery: A randomized clinical trial

Introducción: El cáncer colorrectal representa el tercer cáncer con mayor incidencia en ambos sexos. Un tercio de los pacientes con cáncer experimentan sintomatología ansiosa o depresiva. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la eficacia de una intervención de reducción de estrés basada en mindfulness a través de una aplicación móvil (En calma en el quirófano). Método: Es un ensayo controlado, aleatorizado, con evaluador ciego y multicéntrico, que compara la eficacia de una aplicación de entrenamiento en mindfulness para móviles (rama experimental) con tratamiento habitual (rama control), en 3tiempos de medida (T0 o línea base, T1 o alta a domicilio, T2 o un mes tras cirugía). Se evaluó la sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva (HADS), la calidad de vida (WHOQOL), la escala de dolor (EVA) y la escala de satisfacción (CSQ). Resultados: Hubo un total de 270 derivaciones. Fueron analizadas 82 personas: 39 personas utilizaron la app y 43 continuaron su tratamiento habitual. No hubo cambios significativos entre grupos ni tiempos de medida. Se observó una ligera tendencia en la que el grupo experimental tuvo menos síntomas de depresión y ansiedad entre T0 y T2 (B?= −0,2; IC 95%: 8,8-9,2). Conclusiones: Nuestra población mostraba una edad media alta (65 años), niveles bajos de ansiedad y depresión, y niveles medios de calidad de vida en T0. Estos factores podrían haber interactuado y limitado la eficacia de la app. Nuevas líneas de investigación tienen que ir dirigidas a evaluar la eficacia de las apps para pacientes con enfermedades quirúrgicas en poblaciones más jóvenes. (AU)

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide that occurs both in men and women. Around one-third of patients with cancer will suffer from anxiety or depression symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention through a mobile application («en calma en el quirófano»). Method: This study is a multicenter, single-blind (evaluator), controlled, randomized trial that compares the effectiveness of a mindfulness training through a mobile application (intervention group) and treatment as usual (control group) in 3different moments (T0 or baseline, T1 or hospital discharge and T2 or one month after surgery). Hospital Anxiety and depression Scale (HADS), quality of life (WHOQOL), pain (VAS) and satisfaction (CSQ) were assessed. Results: In all, there were 270 referred patients. Among them, 39 and 43 were assigned to the intervention and control groups respectively; 82 patients were analyzed: 39 patients used the app, and 43 patients continued with the treatment as usual. There were no significant changes between groups and time. We observed a slight trend in which intervention group had less depression and anxiety symptoms since T0 and T2 (B=−0.2; 95% CI: 8.8-9.2). Conclusions: The sample of this study had a high mean age (65 years old), and low levels of anxiety and depression and medium levels of pre-surgery quality of life in baseline. These factors could have influenced limiting the effectiveness of the app. Prospective research lines should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of mobile applications for younger patients with surgical pathologies. (AU)