The Effectiveness of Patient‐Centered Digital Empowerment Programs in Hematological Cancer Care: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Open accessAbstract
Background: Hematological cancers impair patients' quality of life (QoL) due to prolonged and complex treatments. Digital empowerment programs enhance patient engagement by supporting symptom management and psychosocial well‐being. Aims: This study was conducted to examine the effects of patient‐centered digital empowerment programs on hematological cancer care. Methods: As part of this study, a comprehensive search was conducted in nine databases and the gray literature in March 2025. The screening included randomized controlled trials without any time restrictions. This study adhered to the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses checklist. Fixed‐effect and random‐effect models were used in the meta‐analysis. Cochran's Q chi‐square test and I 2 statistic were applied to assess heterogeneity. Data analysis was performed using the Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis (CMA) 3 software. Results: A total of seven studies were included in this meta‐analysis. Patient‐centered digital empowerment programs were found to have moderate and positive effects on depression (Hedges' g = 0.27, p < 0.001), distress (Hedges' g = 0.28, p < 0.001), self‐efficacy, and QoL (Hedges' g = 0.22, p < 0.001). There was no significant effect on fatigue levels in patients with hematological cancers ( p = 0.27), suggesting that digital empowerment programs may not be effective in managing fatigue. The results of the sensitivity analysis support the robustness and reliability of the study findings. Linking Evidence to Action: Digital empowerment programs may serve as a moderately effective tool in improving depression, distress, self‐efficacy, and QoL among patients with hematological cancers. However, they exhibit limited effects on physical symptoms, particularly in fatigue management. Therefore, more comprehensive and multidisciplinary interventions are needed to address the management of physical symptoms effectively. Patient‐centered digital empowerment programs enable early intervention by assisting healthcare professionals in symptom tracking. Digital solutions enhance care processes by improving patient education, psychosocial support, and self‐management skills.
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Previous systematic reviews in oncology have generally examined a single category of technology or concentrated on specific user groups, most often patients and nurses.
“Previous systematic reviews in oncology have generally examined a single category of technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) applications in cancer nursing [11], telephonebased symptom management [12], patient empowerment platforms [13], large language models (LLMs) for clinical decision-making [14], or telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic [15], or have concentrated on specific user g”
From Digital health technologies in oncology services: A scoping review of clinical implementation, organisational evidence gaps, and policy implications (2026) · cites this paper as [16]
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- Authors
- Sezgin, M. G., & Bektas, H.
- Affiliations
- Department of Internal Medicine Nursing Akdeniz University Faculty of Nursing Antalya Turkey
- Venue
- Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2025-07-24
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- e70064-e70064
- ISSN
- 1545-102X (ISSN-L)
- 1741-6787
- PMC
- PMC12290137
- OpenAlex
- W4412654394
- Cited by
- 5
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 1
- FWCI
- 0.59
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Keywords
- hematologic cancer, patient-centered care, quality of life, depression, distress, self-efficacy, fatigue, symptom management, psychosocial well-being, patient engagement, digital health interventions
- MeSH terms
- Empowerment, Humans, Quality of Life, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Patient-Centered Care, Hematologic Neoplasms
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