Pack Health researchers and partners from the University of California San Francisco recently presented ongoing research at the American Society of Hematology’s annual meeting. The research explores the methods behind a randomized control trial focusing on digital life coaching (DLC) versus usual care among individuals with multiple myeloma (MM) undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT).

The RCT abstract is also published in a recent volume of Blood by the American Society of Hematology. All participants, including those in the control arm, receive requests for patient-reported outcome data, as well as brief wellness-related tips. Participants in the DLC arm are paired with a trained life coach beginning at Day -10 before ASCT. Coaches use structured frameworks to assist patients longitudinally with identifying and accomplishing wellbeing-related goals. Specific coaching topics can vary from week to week and are prioritized according to the needs and preferences of each participant. In addition to weekly coach-led phone calls, the participants with multiple myeloma are encouraged to maintain bidirectional communication via phone/text/email as often as desired. The participants with multiple myeloma in the control arm do not receive access to DLC.

The primary endpoint is the total usage of sedative-class potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). These include lorazepam, temazepam, zolpidem, and other similar medications that are prescribed for anxiety or insomnia during each of 4 four-week study subperiods. Secondary endpoints include patient-reported outcome (PRO) assessments of QOL (PROMIS Global Health), distress (NCCN Distress Thermometer), and insomnia (PROMIS Sleep Disturbances 4A). PRO assessments are collected exclusively using automated REDCap emails every 1-2 weeks.

Read the full publication here. To learn more about Pack Health’s research and insights offerings, visit our research page.