Intensive Longitudinal Methods Among Adults With Breast or Lung Cancer: Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Intensive longitudinal methods offer a powerful tool for capturing daily experiences of individuals. However, its feasibility, effectiveness, and optimal methodological approaches for studying or monitoring experiences of oncology patients remain uncertain.

Objective: This scoping review aims to describe to what extent intensive longitudinal methods with daily electronic assessments have been used among patients with breast or lung cancer and with which methodologies, associated outcomes, and influencing factors.

Methods: We searched the electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO) up to January 2024 and included studies reporting on the use of these methods among adults with breast or lung cancer. Data were extracted on population characteristics, intensive monitoring methodologies used, study findings, and factors influencing the implementation of these methods in research and clinical practice.

Results: We identified 1311 articles and included 52 articles reporting on 41 studies. Study aims and intensive monitoring methodologies varied widely, but most studies focused on measuring physical and psychological symptom constructs, such as pain, anxiety, or depression. Compliance and attrition rates seemed acceptable for most studies, although complete methodological reporting was often lacking. Few studies specifically examined these methods among patients with advanced cancer. Factors influencing implementation were linked to both patient (eg, confidence with intensive monitoring system) and methodology (eg, option to use personal devices).

Conclusions: Intensive longitudinal methods with daily electronic assessments hold promise to provide unique insights into the daily lives of patients with cancer. Intensive longitudinal methods may be feasible among people with breast or lung cancer. Our findings encourage further research to determine optimal conditions for intensive monitoring, specifically in more advanced disease stages.

Keywords: advanced disease stages; breast cancer; cancer; diary; ecological momentary assessment; intensive monitoring; longitudinal methods; lung cancer; mobile phone; neoplasms; patients with cancer; quality of life; scoping review; self-report; telemedicine.

Figure 1

PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) flow diagram. ILM: intensive longitudinal method.