Randomized Phase 3 Trial of a Simple Patient App for Managing Cancer Pain Improving Pain Control and Quality of Life in Tumor Patients

What this Trial Is About

Cancer pain is a common and challenging symptom in patients with malignant tumors, especially in rural areas where medical resources and understanding of cancer pain are limited. This trial aims to improve cancer pain management by integrating it into chronic disease care and enhancing healthcare quality for rural participants using a new digital tool. The study is a randomized controlled, open clinical trial sponsored by West China Hospital, focusing on patients with tumor-related pain requiring morphine-based treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the conventional treatment group, which follows standard cancer pain management without patient feedback or alerts, or an experimental group using a patient self-reporting applet. This applet includes questionnaires on cancer pain and quality of life, allowing patients to report symptoms and changes promptly to primary care doctors. The app monitors patient data in real time and alerts doctors when pain reaches moderate-to-severe levels, side effects occur, or medication adherence is poor, enabling timely intervention and coordination with higher-level hospitals. During the study, participants will use the applet for three months. The app will be used once weekly to assess average pain levels, and twice weekly to evaluate mood, physical state, family burden, and quality of life through validated questionnaires. Researchers will monitor these outcomes to assess the apps impact on cancer pain management. The study includes safety monitoring and follow-up, aiming to improve patient care and health outcomes throughout the participation period.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Web-based Platform for Cancer Pain Management