Staying Connected: a Mobile Health Study With the Noona® and Mobili-T® Systems

Staying Connected: a Mobile Health Study for Remote Monitoring of Dysphagia Exercises and Patient-reported Outcome Measures

Mobile health applications are an attractive technological solution that facilitates access to care for patients conveniently and efficiently. Research has shown that remote mHealth delivery has improved patient reported outcomes of disease severity. While such outcomes have traditionally been collected at one point in time within a clinical setting, the potential exists to now gather patient perspectives remotely. Additionally, when combined with a mobile health device, mHealth apps can objectively monitor a treatment plan.

Before implementing a new technology, it is important to investigate how digital health technologies are best integrated into clinical workflows, and how more than one technology can work together to streamline the process. Additionally, it is important to understand the relative benefits of each system from a user perspective and identify how combined data can benefit clinical workflows. Therefore, the purposes of this project are to demonstrate how two technology companies can work together to assess the feasibility of implementing two related systems into one care pathway.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Have a diagnosis of head and neck cancer;
• Will be receiving treatment for head and neck cancer (e.g., +/-surgery, +/- radiation therapy, +/- chemotherapy);
• The primary site of their cancer is the oropharynx, as this is the subgroup of patients known to experience dysphagia.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have a history of cognitive delay,
• History of stroke or traumatic brain injury.
• Have a beard that they are not willing to shave or partially shave (as the device adheres under the chin, on the surface of the skin).
• Have an implanted electronic device of any kind, including cardiac pacemakers or similar assistive devices, electronic infusion pumps, and implanted stimulators
• Have irritated skin or skin with open wounds under the chin;
• Have an allergy to silver.