Development and Effects of a Mobile Application-based Self-Management Program for Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Colorectal Cancer Patients

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and examine the effects of a mobile application-based self-management program for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) in colorectal cancer patients. Methods: This study used a nonequivalent control group and a pretest-posttest design. Eighty-three patients with colorectal cancer undergoing neurotoxic chemotherapy were included in the study (experimental group, n=41; control group, n=42). The self-management program for CIPN consisted of an eight-week program (for individual training and telephonic coaching). CIPN 20, a CIPN assessment tool, and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 scale were used to assess CIPN, disturbance of activities of daily living, and quality of life, respectively. The study was conducted from December 7, 2018, to August 20, 2019. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, a test of homogeneity in the pretest, independent t-tests, and repeated-measures analysis of variance were used. Results: In the experimental group, significant improvements were found inCIPN(F=5.88, p=.018) and disturbance of activities of daily living (F=8.26, p=.005) compared to those in the control group. There was no significant difference in the interaction between the groups and time in terms of quality of life. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the mobile application-based self-management program used in this study is effective and could be used as a nursing intervention for cancer patients with CIPN.