Feasibility of the Xemio app for breast cancer survivors in a clinical setting: Adherence, acceptance, and side effect monitoring (CTCAE vs. QoL).

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, posing significant challenges for survivors, including long-term physical, emotional, and cognitive effects. Mobile health (mHealth) tools provide new opportunities to support these patients by enabling symptom tracking, side effect management, and personalized interventions. This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of the Xemio-Research mHealth application as a digital support tool for breast cancer survivors in a clinical setting. It assessed user adherence, system usability, and patient experience. A secondary objective was to compare self-reported side effects in the app with traditional quality-of-life questionnaires. This prospective study was conducted over one year within a European research project. Breast cancer survivors were recruited from a clinical setting, where they installed the Xemio-Research app and were guided on its use. During the study period, participants tracked symptoms, reported side effects, and engaged with the app. Adherence was measured through interaction logs and activity tracking. Usability was assessed using a validated scale, and patient feedback was collected through structured and open-ended survey questions. Among 61 enrolled participants, 49 actively used the app. Adherence was high in the first three months (96%) but declined to 35% by the final trimester. Usability was rated as excellent (82.78/100), and 87% of respondents recommended the app. The app enabled more detailed symptom tracking compared to traditional quality-of-life questionnaires, particularly for joint pain, tingling, and muscle weakness. The Xemio-Research app demonstrated feasibility and acceptability for breast cancer survivors, offering valuable insights into patient-reported outcomes and side effect management. However, sustaining long-term engagement remains a challenge. Integrating real-time symptom tracking with conventional assessments may enhance personalized care and survivorship outcomes. This study is a sub-study of the clinical trial registered under ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT05401643).