title: Improving symptom communication through personal digital assistants: the CHAT (Communicating Health Assisted by Technology) project.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Communication problems impede effective symptom management during chemotherapy. The primary aim of this pilot randomized controlled trial was to test the effects of a personal digital assistant-delivered communication intervention on pain, depression, and fatigue symptoms among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Secondary aims included assessment of 1) study feasibility, 2) patient and clinician responses to study participation, and 3) intervention effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and communication self-efficacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intervention group participants (n = 27) completed symptom inventories at baseline, once per week during treatment, and at posttreatment. Depending on symptom severity, they viewed race-concordant videos on how to communicate about pain, depression and/or fatigue, using the personal digital assistant. Symptom records were tracked and shared with clinicians. Control group participants (n = 23) received usual care. Longitudinal random effects modeling assessed the changes in average symptom scores over time. Descriptive statistics assessed study feasibility and intervention effects on HRQoL and communication self-efficacy. Postintervention focus groups, interviews, and surveys assessed responses to study participation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of the participants was 51.0 years; 42 participants (84%) were white. In comparison with control, intervention group participants reported lower average pain severity over time (P = .015). Mean pain interference scores over time were marginally different between groups (P = .07); mean depression and fatigue scores over time were statistically nonsignificant. Feasibility outcomes and perspectives about study participation were positive. Mean pre-post decreases in HRQoL were generally higher among intervention group participants; pre-post changes in communication self-efficacy were equivalent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mixed findings of the study indicate the need for future research.
authors.affiliation: 1590 North High St, Ste 525, Columbus, OH 43201. doug.post@osumc.edu.
authors.forename: Douglas M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Post
authors.forename: Charles L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: Donald J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Cegala
authors.forename: Prabu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: David
authors.forename: Mira L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Krok
authors.forename: Gary S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Ann Sheck
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: McAlearney
authors.forename: Jennifer S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lehman
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hicks
authors.forename: Electra D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Paskett
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D058015:Health Communication / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents