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Cited by 13Digital Mental Health InterventionsCancer survivorship and careMobile Health and mHealth Applications

Systematic review and meta-analysis of digital interventions for mental health in cancer patients and survivors

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Nezenega, Zekariyas Sahile, Aychiluhm, Setognal B., Ross, Allen G., Kassa, Zemenu Yohannes, Bore, Meless G., Leshargie, Cheru Tesema, Allan, Julaine, Thapa, Subash +10 more·2025·npj Digital Medicine
DOI 10.1038/s41746-025-02266-xPMC PMC12847855
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Abstract

Digital health interventions (DHIs) are increasingly used to support mental health for cancer patients and survivors, yet previous reviews have not fully captured all relevant studies. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of DHIs in improving mental health outcomes in this population. Six electronic databases were searched, identifying 139 randomised controlled trials across 25 countries involving 19,233 participants. Social media-based (SMD = -0.78, moderate-certainty), mHealth (SMD = -0.68, moderate-certainty), telehealth (SMD = -0.54, low-certainty), virtual reality (SMD = -0.59, moderate-certainty) and combined web-based and telehealth interventions (SMD = -0.26, moderate-certainty) significantly reduced anxiety. For depression, social media-based (SMD = -0.80, moderate-certainty), telehealth (SMD = -0.67, moderate-certainty) and mHealth (SMD = -0.49, low-certainty) showed significant reductions. Psychological distress improved with mHealth (SMD = -0.75, moderate-certainty) and web-based interventions (SMD = -0.28, moderate-certainty). Web-based interventions also improved insomnia (SMD = -0.67, moderate-certainty) and sleep quality (SMD = -0.57, moderate-certainty). These results suggest that DHIs provide mental health benefits for cancer populations. Telehealth, mHealth, and social media programs reduce anxiety and depression, while web-based interventions are beneficial for psychological distress, insomnia, and sleep quality, with added benefits when combined with telehealth. Virtual reality also relieves anxiety symptoms.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Nezenega, Z. S., Aychiluhm, S. B., Ross, A. G., Kassa, Z. Y., Bore, M. G., Leshargie, C. T., Allan, J., Thapa, S., Astawesegn, F. H., Mahmood, S., Isaac, V., Dadi, A. F., Demissie, B. W., Berhe, F. T., Yisma, E., Haileselassie, W., Tegegne, T. K., & Ahmed, K. Y.
Affiliations
  • Charles Sturt University (AU)
  • Ajman University (AE)
  • Addis Continental Institute of Public Health (ET)
  • University of Technology Sydney (AU)
  • The University of Adelaide (AU)
  • Addis Ababa University (ET)
  • Deakin University (AU)
ORCID
Venue
npj Digital Medicine
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2025-12-27
Volume
9
Issue
1
Pages
83-83
ISSN
2398-6352 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41746-025-02266-x
PMC
PMC12847855
OpenAlex
W7117356618
Cited by
13
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 13
FWCI
1.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • npj Digital Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Charles Sturt University Research Output (CRO) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
The Commonwealth of Australia, represented by the Department of Health (Grant Activity 4-DGEJZ1O/4-CW7UT14)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
Keywords
digital health interventions, cancer patients, cancer survivors, mental health, anxiety, depression, psychological distress, insomnia, sleep quality, mobile health, telemedicine, social media, virtual reality, online intervention

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