A novel application could help to improve the quality of life among caregivers of patients undergoing bone marrow transplant, according to recent findings presented by Jacobs et al at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting (Abstract 11000) and simultaneously published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Background
“Family and friends who care for patients getting a bone marrow transplant struggle with depression and anxiety at high rates. Their heavy caregiving burden often leads to lower quality of life,” stressed lead study author Jamie Jacobs, PhD, Program Director of Psychiatric Oncology and Director of Caregiving Research at the Cancer Outcomes Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. “The challenges of caregiving can significantly disrupt their employment, role in the household, and personal lives. This [application] is designed to help address their needs,” she added.
Study Methods and Results
In this study, the researchers created a one-on-one supportive counseling program called BMT-CARE, which they previously demonstrated was capable of increasing caregiver quality of life. To better scale the strategy, they developed a virtual version of the therapy as an application called the BMT-CARE App. The application offered educational modules, games, and videos grounded in evidence-based psychological techniques designed to support the caregiver through each stage of the process: prior to, during, and following bone marrow transplant.
The researchers randomly assigned 125 caregivers to receive the application in addition to the usual supportive care services or usual supportive care services alone. The caregivers spent a median of 146.9 minutes using the application. The researchers found that caregivers assigned to use the application experienced greater improvements in quality of life, lower caregiving burden, and fewer symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder at 60 days following transplantation compared with those who did not use the application.
Conclusions
“The BMT-CARE App may be an accessible option for much-needed support for overwhelmed caregivers who don’t have the time, money, or energy to access mental health services,” concluded Dr. Jacobs.
The researchers are currently expanding the testing of the BMT-CARE App across multiple centers among diverse caregiver populations.
Disclosure: The research in this study was funded in part by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Massachusetts General Hospital Executive Committee on Research, and the American Cancer Society. For full disclosures of the study authors, visit meetings.asco.org and ascopubs.org.
