Emojis accurately track cancer patients' quality of life

Emojis accurately track cancer patients’ quality of life, new research reveals.

Emoticons are just as reliable as lengthy paperwork-heavy questionnaires in assessing cancer sufferers’ moods, a study found.

Lead author Dr Carrie Thompson from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, said: ‘Emojis are a near universal, popular form of communication, understandable by diverse populations, including those with low health literacy.

‘While further research is needed to validate the use of wearable activity monitors in cancer care, we believe this technology has the potential to improve the way we care for patients.’

The researchers hope their findings may lead to the development of devices that allow patients to communicate with their doctors via emojis between appointments.

Emojis accurately track cancer patients’ quality of life, new research reveals

NEVER USE EMOJIS IN WORK EMAILS! SMILEY FACED EMOTICONS MAKE PEOPLE SEEM INCOMPETENT

While you might think that adding a ‘smiley’ emoji to a work email helps to convey a friendly tone, a study in August suggests the practice could be more of a hindrance.

Scientists indicate using smiley face emojis in work-related emails can make you seem incompetent, especially if you do not know the recipient.

The researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev hope their findings will encourage people to think twice before adding emojis to professional emails.

How the research was carried out

The researchers analyzed 115 patients with cancer of the lympathic system and bone marrow.

All of the study’s participants had lifespans of less than five years.

They were given an Apple Watch with an app that recorded their mood via their emoji use, as well as monitoring their exercise level.

The researchers asked the participants questions about their sleep, activity levels and quality of life.

‘Emojis are a universal form of communication’

Results reveal emoji scales produce the same findings as lengthy paperwork-heaving questionnaires when it comes to assessing cancer patients’ quality of life.

Dr Thompson said: ‘Emojis are a near universal, popular form of communication, understandable by diverse populations, including those with low health literacy.

‘While further research is needed to validate the use of wearable activity monitors in cancer care, we believe this technology has the potential to improve the way we care for patients.

‘In the future, it may be possible to monitor patient symptoms and communicate with patients between appointments via wearable technology.’

The findings, presented at the American Society of Hematology congress in Atlanta, also show cancer patients’ quality of life increases alongside their exercise levels.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk