Development of Calm for Cancer Prototype Mobile App

Summary

Using the IDEAS (Integrate, Design, Assess, and Share) framework, the investigators will conduct the following aims:

Specific Aim 1: Using two focus groups, the investigators will INTEGRATE formative work, the social cognitive theory, and perspectives from the experienced-user advisory committee (N=20) who will use the current Calm platform to identify design content and features for a standalone cancer-specific app prototype leveraging the commercial infrastructure of the Calm platform. The advisory committee will consist of both cancer patients/survivors (n=10; 5 of each) and health care providers (n=10).

Specific Aim 2: DESIGN a meditation app prototype tailored to cancer patients/survivors unique needs including content related to cancer-related experiences, emotions, symptoms, physical and psychological needs, cancer-specific symptom self monitoring, social support and sense of belonging within the app and through Facebook.

Specific Aim 3: ASSESS (i.e., beta-test) the prototype's form and function with cancer patients/survivors (N=30). The investigators will use Bowen's feasibility model to determine via surveys and interviews: (a) acceptability (satisfaction, perceived appropriateness, perceived positive/negative effects); (b) demand (use of the app, interest or intention to use); (c) practicality (how it makes them feel, ease of use); (d) adaptation (suggestions for modifications to improve performance for cancer patients/survivors); and (e) integration (how can the app be integrated into the cancer "system") Feasibility benchmarks: \>80% of cancer patients/survivors will accept the prototype, demand the prototype for themselves and other cancer patients/survivors, and find it practical. Data from Aim 3 will guide refinement of the prototype to be tested in a fully powered RCT to establish long term engagement (Phase 2). This work will result in an evidence based, cancer-specific meditation app through a commercial platform that can be scaled and sold at discounted costs to clinic providers and directly to patients (SHARE; Phase 3).

Conditions

• Cancer

Interventions

OTHER

Calm Meditation Smartphone App Feedback

Advisory committee members will be asked to use the current Calm meditation app platform for a full week and to keep an informal journal prior to participating in focus groups in which they will provide feedback about the app.

OTHER

Cancer-Specific Meditation App Prototype Design

Findings from Aim 1 will inform the development of a cancer-specific meditation app prototype to be tested in Aim 3.

DEVICE

Cancer-Specific Meditation App Prototype

Recruited cancer patients/survivors will be asked to beta-test the cancer-specific app prototype for four weeks. The prototype will be developed in Aim 2 and informed by qualitative findings of Aim 1.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

  collaborator OTHER

• Arizona State University

  collaborator OTHER

• Calm.com, Inc.

  lead INDUSTRY

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-03-01

Primary Completion

2022-02-28

Completion

2022-03-15

Countries

• United States

Study Locations