Study Finds Electronic Symptom Monitoring Improves Quality Of Life For Cancer Patients

Radiation oncologist Jon Strasser, M.D., is co-author of the article in Nature Medicine. (Photo provided by ChristianaCare’)

WILMINGTON- A new study published in Nature Medicine suggests that metastatic cancer patients who regularly report their symptoms through a home-based electronic monitoring system experience improved quality of life, better clinical outcomes, and fewer emergency department visits compared to those who do not participate in such reporting.

The study, led by researchers from ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, was part of the PRO-TECT randomized clinical trial, which evaluated the impact of electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) symptom monitoring on patient care. Conducted across 52 community oncology practices in 26 states, the trial sought to assess how real-time symptom tracking could influence clinical outcomes compared to standard care.

Jon Strasser, M.D., a radiation oncologist at the Graham Cancer Center and co-author of the study, emphasized the significance of proactive symptom monitoring.

“By using digital symptom monitoring, we can proactively manage side effects, adjust treatments to keep patients healthier at home through early interventions, and empower patients to feel more in control by participating in their care,” Strasser said.

Study findings

The trial enrolled 1,191 patients, with 593 patients randomly assigned to the PRO arm, using a web-based program or an automated telephone system to report their symptoms, and 598 assigned to the usual care/control arm.

While survival rates were similar, ePRO improved quality of life, delaying physical decline, reducing symptoms by 31%, and cutting emergency visits by 6.1%. Patients also reported better communication (77%), greater control (84%), and high satisfaction, with 91% recommending it.

“These are meaningful outcomes,” Strasser said. “The final results of this study reinforce the importance of patient-reported outcomes to keep patients healthier at home through early intervention, which puts less stress on hospitals.”

Researchers suggest that integrating real-time symptom monitoring into standard cancer care could enhance patient well-being and optimize treatment strategies.