Wearable-triggered ecological momentary assessments are feasible in people with advanced cancer and their family caregivers: feasibility study from an outpatient palliative care clinic at a cancer center

Background: Emerging digital health approaches could play a role in better personalized palliative care.

Aim: We conducted a feasibility study testing wearable sensor (WS)-triggered ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) and electronic patient-reported outcomes in community palliative care with patient–caregiver dyads.

Design: All wore consumer-grade WS for five weeks. Sensor-detected “stress” (heart rate variability algorithm) that passed individualized thresholds triggered a short smartphone survey. Daily sleep surveys, weekly symptom surveys (Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale), and a poststudy experience survey were conducted.

Setting/Participants: Fifteen dyads (n = 30) were recruited from an outpatient palliative care clinic for people with cancer.

Results: Daytime sensor wear-time had 73% adherence. Participants perceived value in this support. Quantity and severity of “stress” events were higher in patients. Sleep disturbance was similar but for different reasons: patients (physical symptoms) and caregivers (worrying about the patient).

Conclusions: EMAs are feasible and valued in community palliative care.