Smart Technology Helps Improve Outcomes for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer patients (357) at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston were split into two treatment groups. The first was those with usual care (weekly doctor’s visits), and the second was those with CYCORE, a technology system for sending remotely collected healthcare data to doctors. Before undergoing radiation therapy, there was no difference in the symptom severity between the two groups. However, after their seven week treatment period, the CYCORE group had lower mean scores than the usual care group for general symptoms as well as for symptoms specific to head and neck cancer. Doctors were able to intervene and change the care of CYCORE patients more efficiently as they reviewed the patient´s remotely-collected weight, blood pressure, and personal symptom data daily. This real-time data collection and monitoring ultimately resulted in reduced symptom severity, demonstrating the possible benefits of the further implementation of Internet of Things technology in healthcare.