Using an App to Reduce Cancer-Related Anxiety

Joseph Greer, Ph.D., Clinical Director of Psychology and Research Scientist in the Center for Psychiatric Oncology & Behavioral Sciences at Massachusetts General Hospital, explains a mobile app to help anxiety in patients who have incurable cancer.

Patients diagnosed with an incurable cancer often see a decline in their quality of life (QOL) after the diagnosis. Greer and a team at Massachusetts General Hospital developed an app based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention that had modules focusing on: relaxing the body, reducing worry, staying present-focused, improving communication and planning/pacing activities. After testing the app with 145 patients, researchers found that it led to significant improvements in anxiety.