The use of mHealth technologies to support acceptance and commitment therapy in cancer patients: Preliminary results from a randomized controlled trial

Background: Previous studies show positive results when acceptance and commitment therapy is used in the treatment of cancer patients. Objectives: To establish the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy in the treatment of common symptoms in cancer patients using trials with an adequate level of control. Methods: Sixty-nine patients affected by different types of cancer (breast, gynecologic, lung, colorectal and ovarian) were recruited and randomly assigned to three experimental conditions defined as follows: the ACT group, the ACT+ACT-ON group, and the waitlist group. Data relating to psychological inflexibility, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety and depression, post-traumatic growth as well as quality of life were collected before (T0) and at the end of the intervention (T1). Results: Results showed better outcomes for the two intervention groups, but significant differences were only observed with regard to fatigue (ω2 = .074), where the ACT group obtained lower scores. This group also showed higher scores for post-traumatic growth (ω2 = .066). Similarly, in the quality-of-life subscales, results indicate significantly higher scores for physical role (ω2 = .062) and cognitive function (ω2 = .087), and lower scores for fatigue (ω2 = .118) than in the waitlist group. Conclusions: Preliminary results suggest that acceptance and commitment therapy is effective in improving relevant aspects such as fatigue, post-traumatic growth and key aspects of quality of life in cancer patients. However, the benefits of using the mobile application need to be confirmed.