Randomized trial of impact of a pain monitoring app for children with cancer at home

Researchers at Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology (Utrecht, The Netherlands) developed a pain monitoring app offering educational information and real-time health care professional feedback on clinically significant pain for children with cancer at home. A randomized trial of the app versus usual care found that the app group reported significantly less clinical significant pain compared to usual care (OR 0.38; 95% CI 0.198-0.734) as well as significantly lower pain severity (β=-0.27; 95% CI-0,407 to -0,142). No differences were found for duration, interference, or management strategies. Parents in the app group reported significantly less distress compared to usual care, and families generally evaluated the app positively.