Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) methodology captures real-time, real-world, self-reports in participants naturalistic environments. EMA is a highly-specialised research method and knowledge of its implementation in the cancer context is in its infancy. 

 

To critically synthesise and describe the use of EMA in cancer research.

 Methods

This systematic review has been reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) Guideline. Electronic databases were searched by an expert librarian, double screened by two reviewers, methodological quality assessed and data extracted. A narrative synthesis examined the rationale for EMA, characteristics of the study samples, EMA sampling procedures, EMA completion rates, outcome measures and implications of findings. 

21 EMA studies in cancer were included. The findings identified that EMA is an acceptable approach to real-time data collection among people affected by cancer. Studies were found significantly heterogeneous in method and approaches varied in design and self-reported measurements. No existing EMA study in cancer reported on validity or reliability of EMA questionnaires.

This is the first systematic review to describe the use of EMA in cancer research. The findings from this review have identified that EMA is an acceptable approach to real-time data collection among people affected by cancer. Further research is required to develop an outcome set for EMA in cancer care to refine the relevance and acceptability of EMA data collection protocols.

EMA in cancer research holds significant promise to advance cancer care and survivorship research through the attainment of real-time, real-world, self-reported data linking affect, thoughts, and behaviours in naturalistic environments.

 

Catherine Paterson1,2, Lucy Armitage1, Murray Turner1
 
 

1.     Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, 2617, Australia

2.     Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7AQ, Scotland, UK