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A MOBILE nutrition app improved dietary moderation and appetite loss outcomes in patients with cancer over 4 weeks.
Mobile Nutrition App Shows Early Promise
Patients with cancer often face ongoing nutrition related challenges after treatment, yet access to sustained dietary support outside the clinic can be limited. In this pilot feasibility study, researchers evaluated whether a 4 week mobile nutrition app could support dietary behavior and quality of life in patients with cancer, while also assessing engagement and retention.
The single arm prospective study was conducted at a tertiary cancer center in Korea. Participants used a mobile nutrition app that offered dietary feedback and self monitoring features. Of 27 enrolled participants, 24 completed the intervention and postassessment, giving a retention rate of 88.9%. Most participants were female, the mean age was 58.5 years, and breast cancer was the most common diagnosis.
Mobile Nutrition App Engagement Was High
Engagement with the mobile nutrition app was strong across the study period. Participants averaged 2.3 app sessions per day, with a median cumulative use time of 177.5 minutes. Median adherence to daily self monitoring exceeded 85%, suggesting that the intervention was acceptable and feasible for this population.
No adverse events were reported. Most participants also experienced stable body weight during the study and did not report diet related adverse effects. These findings support the practical use of a mobile nutrition app as a low burden self management tool for patients with cancer.
Dietary and Quality of Life Outcomes Improved
The most notable dietary change was a significant improvement in the Nutrition Quotient Moderation domain, which rose from a mean of 76.6 to 81.0. Balance and Dietary Behavior also improved, although these changes did not reach statistical significance.
In quality of life outcomes, appetite loss decreased significantly over the 4 week period, while global health status showed a modest upward trend. Higher engagement with the app was associated with greater improvement in dietary moderation and greater reduction in appetite loss, suggesting a possible dose response relationship between app use and benefit.
Exploratory subgroup analyses suggested that adults aged 60 years and older, along with those living more than 3 years beyond their cancer diagnosis, may have experienced stronger effects. While the study was small and uncontrolled, the findings indicate that a mobile nutrition app is feasible in patients with cancer and may support both dietary outcomes and aspects of quality of life. Larger controlled trials will be needed to confirm effectiveness and determine whether these benefits can be sustained over time.
Reference
Park SW et al. Impact of a Mobile Nutrition App on Dietary Outcomes in Cancer Survivors: Pilot Feasibility Study. JMIR Cancer. 2026;12:e79215. DOI: 10.2196/79215.
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