Can mHealth interventions improve quality of life of cancer patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Buneviciene, Inesa; Mekary, Rania A.; Smith, Timothy R.; Onnela, Jukka-Pekka; Bunevicius, Adomas
• Is Part Of: Critical reviews in oncology/hematology. Volume 157(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: mHealth -- Intervention -- Cancer -- Health related quality of life -- Smartphones; Oncology -- Periodicals; Hematology -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.103123
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1040-8428

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: The majority of identified studied were pre-post followed by RCTs. mHealth interventions are promising for improving HRQoL of cancer patients. The strongest evidence exist for fitness, CBT, and mindfulness interventions. Development of mHealth interventions for cancer patients are encouraged. Abstract: mHealth can be used to deliver interventions to optimize Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of cancer patients. In this systematic-review and meta-analysis, we explored the possible impact of health interventions delivered via mHealth tools on HRQoL of cancer patients. The systematic literature search was performed on July 20, 2019, to identify studies that evaluated the impact of mHealth intervention on HRQoL of cancer patients. We identified 25 studies (17 randomized controlled trials and 8 pre-post design studies; 957 patients) that evaluated mHealth interventions. The most commonly studied mHealth interventions included physical activity/ fitness interventions (9 studies), cognitive behavioral therapy (6 studies), mindfulness/ stress management (3 studies). In the majority of studies, mHealth interventions were associated with an improved HRQoL of cancer patients. The meta-analysis of the identified studies supported the positive effect of mHealth interventions for HRQoL of cancer patients. mHealth interventions are promising for improving HRQoL of cancer patients.