DigiPall; a Randomized Controlled Trial of Digital Patient Reported Outcome and Biomarker Monitoring in Palliative Care

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to test whether a system using a wearable device that measures heartbeats and steps, combined with daily communication through a smartphone chatbot about symptoms and tips, can reduce unplanned hospital readmissions and improve well-being in patients with advanced cancer or other severe illnesses receiving palliative care. The study addresses the challenges of managing symptoms and preventing avoidable hospital visits for patients discharged from palliative care wards. It explores a digital approach to support patients' self-management and sense of security alongside standard care. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group receives standard care plus the DigiPall intervention, which includes a sensor-equipped wearable and daily chatbot interactions via WhatsApp on their smartphone; the other group receives standard care alone. The intervention gathers continuous biomarker data and asks patients about their health status daily, providing automated feedback aligned with their existing treatment plans. This approach aims to support patients' adherence to their care plans and reduce rehospitalizations. During the study, participants will be monitored over several months. Researchers will track rates of unplanned rehospitalizations and emergency visits over 84 days, as well as quality of life and sense of security over 91 days, using specific questionnaires. Survival will also be observed over one year. The study includes regular assessments, with patient input integrated into the study design. Participation involves wearing the device, engaging with the chatbot daily, and attending scheduled evaluations to measure outcomes and safety.

DigiPall; a Trial of Digital Patient Reported Outcome and Biomarker Monitoring in Palliative Care