[Apps and web-based interventions for prostate cancer follow-up-a scoping review]

Area of Science:

• Digital health interventions
• Oncology patient care
• Prostate cancer management

Background:

• Prostate cancer therapy can cause side effects and psychosocial distress, often overlooked in follow-up care.
• Digital technologies, such as smartphone applications, show promise for enhancing patient monitoring and support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of apps on prostate cancer patient outcomes, including side effect assessment and distress management.
• To identify user acceptance rates and gather recommendations for implementing and evaluating these digital tools.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review of quantitative and qualitative studies published between 2005 and August 2020.
• Searches were conducted across multiple databases including MEDLINE, Web of Science, and PsycInfo.

Main Results:

• Twenty-two studies indicated that apps and web-based interventions positively influenced physical symptoms, psychosocial distress, and treatment adherence.
• User acceptance was largely positive, though a significant portion of patients did not utilize the available applications.

Conclusions:

• Digital tools offer a valuable supplement to prostate cancer follow-up, particularly when personalized to patient needs.
• Further robust evidence from large-scale randomized controlled trials is required, especially within the German healthcare system.