Evaluating the effect of using a mobile app on the management of chemotherapy side effects and quality of life in breast cancer patients: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: This is a protocol to evaluate the impact of using a mobile app on managing chemotherapy side effects and quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A double-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a 1:1 allocation ratio will be conducted with 72 breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at Omid Hospital in Mashhad. Both groups will receive chemotherapy and usual face-to-face visits, while the intervention group will also use the designed mobile app during the study period. The overall health status and QoL of patients in both the intervention and control groups are evaluated before (at the beginning of the participant's third chemotherapy session) and after (at the end of the 4-week intervention period). RESULTS: In the first stage, the app's initial content was categorized based on a literature review and guidelines for managing chemotherapy side effects. In the second stage, the created content was included in a focused group meeting with six radiotherapy oncologists and experts in this field. Twenty categories related to side effects during chemotherapy were approved by experts. After the approval of the content, the design and development of the mobile app will be done. Finally, by analyzing and comparing the findings obtained in patients of both groups, we will examine the effect of using the app on the management of side effects and QoL in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. In addition, the usability of the mobile app will be evaluated from the users' point of view. CONCLUSION: It is possible to design and develop a mobile app to improve chemotherapy side effects and QoL in breast cancer patients. Although its efficacy still needs further evaluation, we hope it can help improve the side effects of chemotherapy and QoL in breast cancer patients.