February 11, 2022 – An online symptom management tool that harnesses the problem-solving benefits of expressive writing could help women with ovarian cancer better manage complex symptoms, according to a new study led by a University of Pittsburgh and UPMC nurse-scientist.
Published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the study found that patients who used nurse-led and self-directed versions of the tool reported a better sense of control over symptoms compared to enhanced usual care.
“Women with ovarian cancer experience an average of 14 concurrent symptoms, so symptom management is very complex. It can be overwhelming for patients and challenging for providers, who may not have time to address these symptoms in a typical 15-minute appointment,” said lead author Heidi Donovan, Ph.D., R.N., professor of health and community systems in Pitt’s School of Nursing and obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive services in the School of Medicine. “That’s why we developed a symptom management approach outside of a normal clinical setting, from the comfort of a woman’s own home.”
Donovan and her team developed a new symptom management approach called Written Representational Intervention to Ease Symptoms, or WRITE Symptoms, which guides patients to reflect on how they experience a symptom: what causes it, what makes it worse, how it feels, how it impacts their daily life and how they’ve tried to manage it.
The researchers are now developing a mobile health app that will train family members and other caregivers to help their loved ones with ovarian cancers better manage symptoms. Based on the computer-mediated version of WRITE, the app will guide users through questionnaires and problem-solving exercises, and it will feature disease-specific modules and core modules that could apply to patients with any chronic disease. For patients who need extra support, there will also be an option to connect with providers. According to Donovan, this app could be offered to families of gynecology cancer outpatients in the next year or so.