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

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

  • By

  • Zekariyas Sahile Nezenega

  • Setognal B. Aychiluhm

  • Allen G. Ross

  • Zemenu Yohannes Kassa

  • Meless G. Bore

  • Cheru Tesema Leshargie

  • Julaine Allan

  • Subash Thapa

  • Feleke Hailemichael Astawesegn

  • Shakeel Mahmood

  • Vivian Isaac

  • Abel F. Dadi

  • Birhanu W. Demissie

  • Fentaw T. Berhe

  • Engida Yisma

  • Werissaw Haileselassie

  • Teketo K. Tegegne

  • Kedir Y. Ahmed

  • December 27, 2025

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To evaluate the effectiveness of various digital health interventions (DHIs) in improving mental health outcomes in cancer patients and survivors.

Key Findings:
  • Social media-based interventions significantly reduced anxiety (SMD = -0.78, moderate-certainty) and depression (SMD = -0.80, moderate-certainty).
  • mHealth interventions showed significant reductions in anxiety (SMD = -0.68, moderate-certainty), depression (SMD = -0.49, low-certainty), and psychological distress (SMD = -0.75, moderate-certainty).
  • Telehealth interventions reduced anxiety (SMD = -0.54, low-certainty) and depression (SMD = -0.67, moderate-certainty).
  • Web-based interventions improved insomnia (SMD = -0.67, moderate-certainty) and sleep quality (SMD = -0.57, moderate-certainty).
  • Virtual reality interventions also relieved anxiety symptoms (SMD = -0.59, moderate-certainty).
Interpretation:

Digital health interventions provide significant mental health benefits for cancer patients and survivors, effectively reducing anxiety, depression, psychological distress, insomnia, and improving sleep quality, with implications for clinical practice.

Limitations:
  • Most studies were conducted in high-income countries, limiting generalizability.
  • Variability in intervention types and outcomes may affect the robustness of findings.
  • Some interventions had low-certainty evidence, which may impact the reliability of the results.
Conclusion:

DHIs are effective in supporting mental health for cancer patients and survivors, highlighting the need for broader implementation and further research in diverse settings to enhance generalizability.

Original Source(s)

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

  • by Zekariyas Sahile Nezenega, Setognal B. Aychiluhm, Allen G. Ross, Zemenu Yohannes Kassa, Meless G. Bore, Cheru Tesema Leshargie, Julaine Allan, Subash Thapa, Feleke Hailemichael Astawesegn, Shakeel Mahmood, Vivian Isaac, Abel F. Dadi, Birhanu W. Demissie, Fentaw T. Berhe, Engida Yisma, Werissaw Haileselassie, Teketo K. Tegegne, Kedir Y. Ahmed

  • December 27, 2025

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