Overview
The goal of this pilot study is to assess the perceived usability of a smartphone application called WINGS targeting psychosocial distress and well-being in prostate cancer patients and their social network. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- How do prostate cancer patients and their social network rate the usability of the technology-based social-support intervention program smartphone application?
- Do symptoms of prostate cancer patients improve after using the WINGS smartphone application?
- Does the burden of prostate cancer patients social network decrease after using the WINGS smartphone application? Participants will be asked to use the WINGS smartphone application over the period of eight to twelve weeks and fill in questionnaires before, during, and after this time.
Description
There is still little knowledge about how smartphone apps can improve the quality of life in prostate cancer patients. Hence, the investigators are interested in finding out whether the simplified access to information and planning of activities increases the perceived social support in prostate cancer patients and ultimately improves their quality of life.
The duration of the study is approximately three months per participant. The WINGS smartphone application can be used from home and questionnaires can be completed online. Participants are therefore not required to be present at the University Hospital Basel during the entire course of the present study.
The investigators plan to recruit a total of 30 prostate cancer patients at the University Hospital Basel and 0-10 supporters (family members and friends) per prostate cancer patient. All study participants will have access to the regular treatment services of the University Hospital Basel.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Able and willing to give written consent
- Male;
- ≥ 18 years of age;
- Sufficient knowledge of German language;
- Confirmed diagnosis of prostate carcinoma;
- Successfully completed prostatectomy with "Da Vinci®" method;
- Willingness to use the WINGS-IP1 Smartphone Application (technology-based SSIP);
- In possession of a smartphone on which the WINGS-IP1 Smartphone Application V1.0 can be installed (required operating systems: iOS 12.1 or newer, Android 7.0 or newer);
- Access to the Internet with smartphone;
- Ability to operate a smartphone;
Exclusion Criteria:
- Previous enrolment in the current investigation;
- Current diagnosis of severe mental disorder, namely bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorder;
- Simultaneous participation in any other clinical trial, hospital program, or psychosocial intervention targeting similar concepts (e.g., mental wellbeing, social support, sexuality, etc.);
- Receiving any current treatment for mental disorder (psychotherapy and/or medication) apart from already existing long-lasting therapies (≥ 6 months);