A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at Mass General Brigham has unveiled the potential of a new app in enhancing the quality of life for caregivers of patients undergoing bone marrow transplants (BMT). The team of investigators carried out a randomized clinical trial, which demonstrated that caregivers who utilized the app experienced notable improvements in their quality of life, reduced burden, and enhanced mood compared to those who did not have access to the app. The findings of this study were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting and concurrently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Dr. Jamie Jacobs, the co-principal investigator of the study and program director of Psychiatric Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital, highlighted the challenges faced by caregivers of BMT patients, including high rates of depression and anxiety. These caregivers often grapple with a significant caregiving burden that can detrimentally impact their overall well-being. Dr. Jacobs emphasized the critical need for interventions to address the unique needs of caregivers in this context.
Collaborating with Dr. Areej El-Jawahri, co-director of the Cancer Outcomes Research and Education Program at MGH, Dr. Jacobs developed the BMT-CARE app as a digital tool to provide one-on-one supportive counseling for caregivers. Building upon their previous success with the BMT-CARE program, the researchers transformed the intervention into a user-friendly app to reach a broader audience of caregivers.
The BMT-CARE app offers a range of features, including educational modules, interactive games, and evidence-based psychological techniques to support caregivers throughout the BMT process. In a trial involving 125 caregivers, those who utilized the app in addition to standard supportive care services reported a higher quality of life, reduced caregiving burden, and fewer symptoms of depression and PTSD post-transplantation.
Dr. Jacobs underscored the accessibility and convenience of the BMT-CARE app, particularly for overwhelmed caregivers who may face barriers in accessing traditional mental health services. The researchers are now expanding the testing of the app across multiple centers to further evaluate its efficacy among diverse caregiver populations.
For more information on the study, the research team’s findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology under the title “BMT-CARE App: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Psychosocial Digital Application for Caregivers of Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation.”
This innovative app represents a significant advancement in providing much-needed support for caregivers in the challenging context of BMT, offering a digital solution to enhance their well-being and alleviate caregiving burdens. The Mass General Brigham team continues to explore the potential of the BMT-CARE app in revolutionizing caregiver support in the field of oncology.
