Effectiveness of Digital-Based Interventions on Physical and Psychological Outcomes Among Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
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
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.