Web-based self-management intervention for patients with cancer: A meta-analysis and systematic review

Abstract

Aim: This study is conducted to synthesize the effects of web-based self-management intervention on patients with cancer. Evaluation: We searched Web of Science, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library databases for related randomized controlled trials from inception through 2021. Reference lists of included studies were also searched for additional qualified studies. For quantitative data synthesis, standardized mean differences were used to eliminate the influence caused by different scales. Narrative synthesis was also performed. Key issues: Nine in 1149 studies were included for narrative and quantitative analysis. The pooled data suggested that patients in the intervention group had better quality of life (standardized mean difference = 1.091, 95% confidence interval: 0.155–2.028) and lower depression (standardized mean difference = −1.634, 95% confidence interval: −2.980 to −0.287) than those in the control group. The result of narrative synthesis is that patients receiving intervention had lower cancer or symptom distress and higher self-efficacy than those in the control group. Conclusion: Web-based self-management intervention improved lives of cancer survivors.