Improved functional assessment in cancer patients using home-based digital technologies

Accurate assessment of performance status (PS) in oncology care is crucial for improving clinical decisions, therapy selection and anticipated risks of treatment toxicity. While physical function is traditionally assessed in the clinic, in-clinic instruments do not capture the full spectrum of daily functioning. Digital health technologies (DHTs) can address this limitation by passively monitoring patients in their daily environment. Our study showed at-home physical activity and gait metrics from DHTs were associated with self-reported PS in participants with cancer, and these metrics had greater discriminatory power than in-clinic measures among this cohort. The DHT-derived metrics were also significantly correlated with patient-reported-outcomes, and used of the devices was broadly acceptable to study participants. Therefore, integrating DHTs into oncological practice could significantly refine how PS is measured and utilized, ultimately enhancing treatment decision-making and clinical outcomes. (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03952767).