Development of digital self care interventions for Cancer-Related Fatigue and sleep problems – An implementation research study
Cancer-Related Fatigue and sleep problems are among the most common and distressing symptoms experienced by people living with cancer. These symptoms can significantly affect daily functioning, emotional well-being, and quality of life. Although effective self care approaches exist, there is limited access for patients to to learn how to apply these techniques. This project addresses this gap by developing digital, patient-friendly training programs that support symptom self-management.
Supporting self care through digital patient education
Research shows that self care Mind Body Medicine approaches, such as acupressure and mindfulness-based techniques, can help reduce Cancer-Related Fatigue and improve sleep. However, these methods are often not integrated into routine oncology care, and most patients don’t have have access to guidance on how to use them. This project was designed to provide accessible digital training programs that teach patients how to safely and effectively apply these self care techniques on their own.
The digital format allows patients to learn at their own pace, revisit content as needed, and integrate self care practices into their daily routines. This approach supports patient education beyond the clinical setting and encourages active participation in symptom management.
Study design
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A key feature of this project is its participative research approach. The training programs were developed using a user-centered process that actively involved multiple interest holders, including cancer patients, healthcare professionals, and Mind Body Medicine experts. Their experiences, needs, and feedback shaped the structure, content, and language of the digital trainings.
An implementation research-focused framework guided the development to ensure that the interventions were not only helpful but also feasible within real-world oncology care. Through several development and testing cycles, the content was refined to be clear, relevant, and easy to apply, even for patients without prior experience in self care techniques.
Feasibility, usability, and integration into clinical care
The final digital trainings were evaluated for usability, content relevance, and practical applicability. Results showed high levels of satisfaction with the clarity of the instructions and the overall training structure. Patients reported feeling confident in self-administering acupressure or mindfulness-based techniques to manage fatigue and sleep problems.
Importantly, the project demonstrates how digital interventions can be stepwise developed in close collaboration with interest holders and integrated into routine clinical care. By aligning patient education with implementation needs, this project highlights the potential of digital self care programs to complement standard cancer treatment and support long-term symptom management
Project team
- Claudia M. Witt (Principal Investigator)
- Anita Thomae (Contact)
Selected publications
Thomae, A.V., Brüllmann, S., Zhang, L. et al. Developing Self Care Digital Trainings for Cancer Patients: An Implementation Research Project with Broad Stakeholder Engagement. J Canc Educ (2026).