A smartphone symptom-management app for children early after cancer treatment and their caregivers
Development and Evaluation of a Symptom Management Mobile Health Application With Personalised Support for Children at the Early Stage of Cancer Survivorship and Their Caregivers
NA · Chinese University of Hong Kong · NCT05748210
This project will test whether a mobile app plus personalized nurse support can help Chinese-speaking children aged 9–16 who recently finished cancer treatment and their primary caregivers have fewer symptoms and better quality of life after three months.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 150 (estimated) |
| Ages | 9 Years to 16 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Chinese University of Hong Kong (other) |
| Locations | 2 sites (Hong Kong and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05748210 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled trial will assign paediatric cancer survivors and their primary caregivers to either immediate access to a symptom-management mobile app with 12 weeks of personalized nurse support or to a wait-list control. Eligible children are aged 9–16, have completed active cancer treatment within the past two years, can read Chinese, and have a smartphone or tablet; their primary caregivers must also be Chinese-speaking and willing to use the app. Key outcomes measured at baseline and three months include children's physical function, anxiety, depressive symptoms, fatigue, peer relationships, and pain interference, and caregiver quality of life. The intervention combines app-based symptom tracking, tailored self-management content, and interactive nurse support, while the control group receives the app after the waiting period.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Chinese-speaking children aged 9–16 who finished active cancer treatment within the past two years, own a smartphone or tablet, and have a primary caregiver willing to use the app.
Not a fit: Children with cognitive impairment, active psychiatric illness, evidence of recurrence or secondary malignancy, or families without Chinese-language smartphone access are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could reduce symptom burden and improve quality of life for young cancer survivors and their caregivers by providing accessible, ongoing symptom monitoring and nurse-guided support.
How similar studies have performed: While mobile health interventions have shown promise for symptom management in adult and some pediatric oncology settings, evidence specific to early pediatric cancer survivorship is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Chinese paediatric cancer survivors will be included if they * are aged 9 to 16 years, * are able to read Chinese and communicate in Chinese, * have completed active cancer treatment (within the previous 2 years), as early symptom management support is crucial to reduce the symptom burden in survivors and their caregivers throughout their survivorship, and * have a smartphone or tablet and are willing to install the mHealth app. The primary caregiver of the paediatric cancer survivors (either the mother or father) * are able to read Chinese and communicate in Chinese, and * have a smartphone or tablet and are willing to install the mHealth app with their children surviving cancer. Exclusion Criteria: Chinese paediatric cancer survivors will be excluded if they * have cognitive impairments or psychiatric illnesses * are currently participating in other symptom management studies, or * have evidence of secondary malignancy or recurrence The primary caregivers of the paediatric cancer survivors (either the mother or father) will be excluded if they have cognitive impairments or psychiatric illnesses.
Where this trial is running
Hong Kong and 1 other locations
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ankie Tan Cheung, PhD — Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Study coordinator: Ankie Tan Cheung, PhD
- Email: ankiecheung@cuhk.edu.hk
- Phone: 852 3943 0515
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Oncology, Survivorship, symptom management, cancer, children, caregiver, mobile health