Feasibility of a Text Messaging Intervention to Promote Self-Management for Patients Prescribed Oral Anticancer Agents.

Purpose/objectives: To determine proof of concept of a mobile health (mHealth) intervention delivering text messages (texts) to self-manage among patients prescribed oral anticancer agents (OAs) and to examine preliminary efficacy on symptoms and medication adherence.
Design: A longitudinal randomized, controlled trial.
Setting: Two community cancer centers in the midwestern United States and a national specialty pharmacy.
Sample: 80 adults with cancer who were newly prescribed OAs
.
Methods: Adherence and symptoms were assessed weekly for 10 weeks in both groups. The intervention group received daily texts for adherence and weekly for symptoms for 21-28 days, and satisfaction with the intervention was assessed
.
Main Research Variables: Medication adherence and symptom severity.
Findings: Mean age was 58.5 years (SD = 10.7 years), 48 participants were female, and 48 were Caucasian. Fewer symptoms were found in the intervention group with a moderate effect size. Adherence was higher in the text group using medical record and prescription data (n = 26) with greater relative dose intensity of moderate to large effect size. Regarding acceptability, 57% (83 of 145) of eligible participants consented, 39 of 40 participants completed the entire intervention, 30 participants read texts all of the time, and 34 participants were satisfied with the intervention.

Conclusions: Proof of concept and preliminary efficacy of an mHealth intervention using texts to promote self-management for patients prescribed OAs was demonstrated. Patients had high satisfaction with the texts, and adherence and symptoms improved after the intervention.
Implications for Nursing: Texts show promise for patients with cancer who must manage their OAs. Additional research is needed prior to use in practice.