Rationale and usability findings of an e-health intervention to improve oral anticancer adherence among breast cancer survivors: The My Journey mindfulness study

Abstract

Background: Approximately 80% of breast cancer survivors are prescribed oral endocrine therapy (ET) medication for 5–10 years following primary treatment, making adherence to ET a critical aspect of cancer survivorship care. Despite the benefits of ET, non-adherence is problematic, and up to half of breast cancer survivors ave been documented to discontinue ET early. Our team developed My Journey, an online, mindfulness-based program designed to improve adherence to ET. This manuscript describes the usability testing of My Journey and the protocol development for the My Journey randomized feasibility trial. Methods: Usability participants were women (N = 15) with a diagnosis of hormone receptor-positive non-metastatic breast cancer who had initiated ET. Participant impressions and feedback were collected qualitatively and quantitatively using items on usefulness, satisfaction, and ease of use. Participants in the 8-week feasibility trial (N = 80) will be randomized to receive the web-based My Journey intervention or a health education comparison condition. Results: Quantitative feedback on the usability trial was favorable, with a mean overall usability score of 106.3 (SD = 7.7; Range: 83–115) indicating above average usability. Qualitative data showed that participants found several strengths in the initial design of the My Journey online tool and that participants liked the layout of My Journey. Conclusions: Findings indicate that the My Journey online tool is useable. The program's feasibility is being evaluated in a randomized trial.

Keywords

• Adherence
• Breast cancer
• Endocrine therapy
• Health-related quality of life
• Symptom burden
• Mind-body interventions