Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41474216›Full record

ArticlePsycho-oncology2026

Ecological Momentary Assessment for Assessing Affect Patterns Associated With Depression in Cancer Survivors in Primary Care: A Pilot Study.

Jolien A Lissa Panjer, Mariken E Lisabeth Stegmann, Daan Brandenbarg, Maya J Schroevers, Harriëtte Riese, Evelien Snippe, Huibert Burger

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Psycho-oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Identifying person-level factors to guide digital mental health treatments for cancer survivors: an ecological momentary assessment study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Observational
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Jolien A Lissa PanjerDepartment of Primary and Long-Term Care, Cure and Care in the Community Context (FOUR-C) - Research Program, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Mariken E Lisabeth StegmannDepartment of Primary and Long-Term Care, Cure and Care in the Community Context (FOUR-C) - Research Program, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Daan BrandenbargDepartment of Primary and Long-Term Care, Cure and Care in the Community Context (FOUR-C) - Research Program, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8054-7337
Maya J SchroeversDepartment of Health Sciences, Section Health Psychology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8518-9153
Harriëtte RieseDepartment of Psychiatry, Clinical Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Research Program (CCNP), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3661-3151
Evelien SnippeDepartment of Developmental Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Huibert BurgerDepartment of Primary and Long-Term Care, Cure and Care in the Community Context (FOUR-C) - Research Program, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.

Funding

Stichting Stoffels-Hornstra
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionDepressive symptoms are common in cancer survivors. Recognizing depression can be complicated due to recall bias or oncological treatment-related symptoms including cognitive problems, which in turn may undermine the reliability of self-report questionnaires.

aimTo explore the feasibility and patient satisfaction of smartphone-based Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) in primary care cancer survivors.

methodsPatients > 18 years, curatively treated for cancer within the past two years, regardless whether they experienced depressive symptoms, were selected based on the GPs' health records. EMA questionnaires were sent three times daily for 6 weeks, covering positive and negative affect, along with related experiences. Patients received weekly EMA feedback reports. After the EMA period, they completed an evaluation questionnaire and participated in a follow-up phone call to discuss their EMA experiences.

resultsPatient recruitment achieved a reach of 17.0% who were invited for participation (158/931), of whom 33/158 agreed to participate yielding a response rate of 20.9%. Patients found the EMA questions clear and study participation easy with a completion rate of 67% among those who started. However, 64% felt the frequency of EMA prompts was excessive, with 52% considering the 6-week duration appropriate and 48% feeling it was too long. During phone call evaluations, patients reported becoming inattentive with filling out the EMA's. Weekly reports were viewed as relevant and provided valuable insights into levels and changes in their mood.

conclusionThe relatively low reach and response rate do not entirely support the feasibility and acceptability of a 6-week EMA in cancer survivors in primary care without depressive symptoms. EMA was, however, completed by a majority among those who started and was regarded as a user-friendly tool that offered valuable insights to individuals. It could potentially benefit cancer survivors or other patients who do experience depressive symptoms in primary care.

Indexed as

AffectCancer SurvivorsDepressionEcological Momentary AssessmentNeoplasmsAdultAgedFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPatient SatisfactionPilot ProjectsPrimary Health CareSmartphonecancer survivorsdepressionecological momentary assessmentfeasibilityprimary carepsycho‐oncology

Identifiers

PMID41474216
PMCPMC12755119

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.