Objective:

To determine the effects of various digital health interventions, including smartphone applications and web-based programs, on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.

Key Findings:

• Digital health interventions were associated with a reduction in anxiety (SMD = -0.90, 95% CI: -1.59 to -0.22, low certainty evidence).
• Digital health interventions were associated with a reduction in depression (SMD = -0.93, 95% CI: -1.64 to -0.21, low certainty evidence).
• Digital health interventions were associated with an improvement in quality of life (SMD = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.19 to 1.36, low certainty evidence).

Interpretation:

Digital health interventions may reduce anxiety and depression and enhance quality of life among CRC patients, but the low certainty of evidence suggests caution in interpretation.

Limitations:

• Substantial heterogeneity in the studies included may affect the reliability of the findings.
• Low certainty of evidence for the outcomes measured indicates a need for further research.

Conclusion:

High-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to establish more definitive conclusions regarding the effectiveness of digital health interventions for CRC patients, particularly addressing the limitations identified.