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Taylor EP, Mossman B, Velazquez-Sosa MA, Rashid Z, Kloster N, Schwarz M, Kang H, Rodriguez JD, Addington EL, Moskowitz JT, Glenn L, Drakeford S, Guerra R, Isaacs C, Chitalia A, Gallagher C, Graham D, O'Neill S, Conley C
Evaluation of Experiences With Ecological Momentary Assessment Among Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer: Qualitative Study
“It made me reassess and remember that I want to enjoy life”: A qualitative study of experiences with ecological momentary assessment among women with metastatic breast cancer
Emily P. Taylor;
Brenna Mossman;
Mikaela A. Velazquez-Sosa;
Zaynab Rashid;
Natalie Kloster;
Maureen Schwarz;
Hannah Kang;
Jennifer D. Rodriguez;
Elizabeth L. Addington;
Judith Tedlie Moskowitz;
Lesley Glenn;
Shontè Drakeford;
Roxana Guerra;
Claudine Isaacs;
Ami Chitalia;
Christopher Gallagher;
Deena Graham;
Suzanne O'Neill;
Claire Conley
ABSTRACT
Background:
Patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) experience significant quality of life decrements, but there are few supportive care interventions specifically designed for this group that significantly improve quality of life. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and related ecological momentary interventions (EMI) may be particularly beneficial for patients with MBC.
Objective:
The purpose of the present study was to qualitatively assess experiences with EMA and preferences for intervention content and mode among patients living with MBC, with an emphasis on EMIs.
Methods:
Women with MBC (N=29) were recruited from a longitudinal, observational study of quality of life using an EMA design. In-depth qualitative interviews, guided by participants’ EMA data, examined the impact of self-monitoring and probed the acceptability of possible interventions at times when patients reported high symptom burden and/or low quality of life. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using open coding, axial coding, and selective coding.
Results:
Qualitative analysis identified five major themes. Participants reflected on their reasons for enrolling in the study (Theme 1: Participant Engagement). They also discussed their experiences with the EMA protocol and recommendations for improving study design in future studies (Theme 2: Feedback on Study Design). While less common, some participants discussed how engaging with the EMA protocol altered their experiences or behaviors (Theme 3: Impact of Self-Monitoring). Finally, participants discussed their reactions to seeing their EMA data (Theme 4: Responses to Data) and suggested programs and resources to improve their overall quality of life (Theme 5: Recommendations for Future Interventions).
Conclusions:
Patients with MBC are willing to use EMA methodologies for data collection on quality of life and are open to EMIs. Given variations in daily functioning, a just-in-time adaptive intervention framework may be well-suited for this population.
Citation
Please cite as:
Taylor EP, Mossman B, Velazquez-Sosa MA, Rashid Z, Kloster N, Schwarz M, Kang H, Rodriguez JD, Addington EL, Moskowitz JT, Glenn L, Drakeford S, Guerra R, Isaacs C, Chitalia A, Gallagher C, Graham D, O'Neill S, Conley C
Evaluation of Experiences With Ecological Momentary Assessment Among Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer: Qualitative Study