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Effectiveness of Digital-Based Interventions on Physical and Psychological Outcomes Among Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Seminars in oncology nursing
February 1, 2025
Chun Chong Goh et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleSystematic ReviewMeta-AnalysisReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of VR and mobile-based interventions, including mindfulness, on physical and psychological outcomes among cancer patients.

Results Summary

Mindfulness practice improved sleep quality, anxiety, and depression in cancer patients, with sustained effects lasting at least 6 months for anxiety and depression.

Population

Cancer patients

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Effects sustained at least 6 months (intervention duration not specified)

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (10)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
VR relaxation videos and game-based activities
decrease
cancer-related pain
cancer patients
-
were efficacious in improving
#1
Mobile applications with educational content, symptom monitoring, relaxation videos, teleconsultation, and regular reminders
increase
all outcomes
cancer patients
-
contributed to positive effects on
#2
Mindfulness practice
increase
sleep quality
cancer patients
-
appeared to improve
#3
Mindfulness practice
decrease
anxiety
cancer patients
-
appeared to improve
#4
Mindfulness practice
decrease
depression
cancer patients
-
appeared to improve
#5
VR and mobile-based interventions
decrease
pain
cancer patients
-
had the potential to improve
#6
VR and mobile-based interventions
decrease
fatigue
cancer patients
-
had the potential to improve
#7
VR and mobile-based interventions
increase
sleep
cancer patients
-
had the potential to improve
#8
VR and mobile-based interventions
decrease
anxiety
cancer patients
-
had the potential to improve
#9
VR and mobile-based interventions
decrease
depression
cancer patients
-
had the potential to improve
#10
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Evolving digital technology has paved the way for endless potentiality. Leveraging on digital technology for healthcare purposes can target cancer patients, thus improving physical and psychological symptoms. Nevertheless, there is limited consolidated evidence on the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) and mobile applications. This review aimed to synthesize evidence concerning the effectiveness of VR and mobile-based interventions on physical (pain, fatigue, and sleep) and psychological (anxiety and depression) outcomes among cancer patients. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on ten electronic databases, ongoing trials, and grey literature, reported between 2013 to 2023. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining VR and mobile-based interventions on the physical or psychological outcomes among people with cancer were included. Two independent reviewers screened records for eligibility, appraised methodological quality, and extracted data from included studies. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used for data appraisal, and a modified Cochrane data extraction form was used for data extraction. Meta-analysis and subgroup analysis were used to analyze data. RESULTS: In total, 43 studies were included. VR relaxation videos and game-based activities were efficacious in improving cancer-related pain. Mobile applications with educational content, symptom monitoring, relaxation videos, teleconsultation, and regular reminders contributed to positive effects on all outcomes. Mindfulness practice appeared to improve sleep quality, anxiety, and depression. Intervention effects sustained at least 6 months for all outcomes, except sleep. CONCLUSIONS: VR and mobile-based interventions had the potential to improve pain, fatigue, sleep, anxiety, and depression at post-intervention. Future RCTs are required to further test both digital interventions on specific types of cancer on multiple research settings. IMPLICATIONS TO NURSING PRACTICE: VR and mobile-based interventions can be offered in clinical settings to help cancer manage their pain, fatigue, sleep, anxiety, and depression. VR relaxation videos, game-based activities, teleconferences, mindfulness, education, and system reminders can be included.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansNeoplasmsMobile ApplicationsVirtual RealityTelemedicineAnxietyFemaleMaleDepressionMiddle AgedAdultAged
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality80/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.60
Normalized Score0.70
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