Pain Assessment with Short Message Service and Interactive Voice Response in Outpatients with Cancer and Pain: A Feasibility Study.
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Date
2016-03-03
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Pain assessment and monitoring is a prerequisite for its adequate treatment in patients with cancer We performed a feasibility study on the use of short message service SMS and interactive voice response IVR to improve pain management in patients with cancer including terminally ill patients METHODS During 4 weeks palliative patients received a daily IVR asking to provide their pain score on a numeric rating scale NRS with their mobile phone If pain was moderate or high the nurse contacted the patient the same day and if required adapted the treatment RESULTS Thirteen of the 17 invited patients agreed to participate 79 four died during the study period IVR SMS provides a reliable assessment of the pain intensity and if required treatment can be rapidly adapted All patients were satisfied with the intervention There were no difficulties for the mainly older patients in handling this communication way on pain intensity The mean pain score decreased from 4 78 to 3 33 P 0 07 The pain scale of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire EORTC QLQ C30 decreased significantly from 56 to 35 P 0 047 DISCUSSION Monitoring and managing pain with IVR SMS in patients with cancer at home appeared acceptable and feasible even in terminally ill patients The reluctance for actively contacting the professional in case of increased pain intensity is circumvented in this setting Further research preferably in a controlled study is needed to establish the use of this intervention in a larger patient population