App improves outcomes for pain in children with cancer

The use of a home pain monitoring app led to less clinically significant pain in children with cancer, according to a study published in Cancer. The authors of this study sought to evaluate if a pain monitoring app might be useful in improving suboptimal pain control for children with cancer at home, bridging the distance between clinical and home settings. 

The research team conducted a randomised controlled study in which two groups were created – one that received the pain monitoring app for use at home (n = 79) and the other receiving care without this technology (n = 79). Children who were receiving active treatment for cancer (chemotherapy/radiotherapy) with access to a smartphone/tablet were recruited for this study. 

Researchers used the “KLIK Pijnmonitor” app developed by the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, in The Netherlands, as their pain monitoring for the investigation. This app allows patients and their families to report moments of significant pain, and to set up daily reminders if desired. Participants in the control group were asked to call the hospital should they require pain-related assistance. 

The results demonstrated that those in the intervention group reported clinically significant pain less often than those in the control group over time. Patients who used the app also had large decreases in pain severity compared with the control.