JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Approximately 80% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients suffer from anorexia, weight loss, asthenia, and a poor prognosis. Moreover, in this context, nutritional management of PDAC patients during the chemotherapy is a key factor in prognosis than any other cancer. PDAC is the type cancer that requires the most nutritional support. Mobile applications (apps) have the potential to provide easily accessible nutritional support for patients with PDAC.

Objective:

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a mobile app-based program, Noom, in patients receiving chemotherapy for PDAC

Methods:

We prospectively enrolled patients who were newly diagnosed with unresectable PDAC and randomly assigned them into the Noom user group (n=20) and the non-Noom user group (n=20). The in-app interventions with behavior and nutritional education lasted for 12 weeks. Dietitians monitored these data and provided nutritional feedback. Patients also completed paper questionnaires at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

Results:

Above average Noom users showed a significant improvement in nutritional status according to the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (P=.03). Noom users showed a statistically significant improvement on the Global Health Status and Quality of Life scale compared to non-Noom users based on the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (P=.02). Particularly, skeletal muscle index was significantly higher in above average Noom users compared to non-Noom users during the study period (+5.58% versus -13.96%, P=.04).

Conclusions:

This pilot study demonstrated that a mobile app-based approach was beneficial for nutritional and psychological support for patients receiving chemotherapy for PDAC. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04109495