Development and Effects of a Smartphone Application to Improve Self-Management in Workers Who Underwent Thyroid Cancer Surgery

Background Although the survival rate for thyroid cancer is high, a nursing intervention that enhances autonomous motivation is needed for patients with jobs to improve their long-term self-management abilities in the early postoperative period. Objectives This study aims to develop a mobile application (app) based on the Self-Determination Theory for patients returning to work after thyroid cancer surgery and to verify its effectiveness. Methods We developed an app to promote self-management and verify its effectiveness after 12 weeks in early outpatients who underwent thyroid cancer surgery through a randomized controlled trial design. In addition to a subjective questionnaire, objective data on steps, stress, and sleep quality from a smartwatch are analyzed. Results Autonomous motivation ( t = −2.11, P = .040), perceived health status ( t = −2.05, P = .048), and perceived stress ( t = 2.18, P = .039) show significant differences in the experimental group compared to the control group. Objective data collected using a smartwatch show that stress scores ( t = 5.43, P = .006) and sleep quality scores ( t = 3.83, P = .025) in the experimental group are significantly improved compared to those in the control group. Conclusion Among workers in the early stages after thyroid cancer surgery, using the smartphone app strengthens autonomous motivation and improves steps, stress levels, and sleep quality, making it an effective nursing intervention for self-management. Implications for Practice In outpatient nursing practice, self-management should be promoted using a smartphone app among adult patients returning to work soon after thyroid cancer surgery.