The effect of telehealth interventions on quality of life of cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Jamie L. Larson, Adam B. Rosen, Fernando A. Wilson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the effect of telehealth interventions to usual care for cancer survivors’ quality of life. A comprehensive search of four different databases was conducted. Manuscripts were included if they assessed telehealth interventions and usual care for adult cancer survivors and reported a measure of quality of life. Pooled random effects models were used to calculate overall mean effects for quality of life pre- and post-intervention. Eleven articles fit all systematic review and meta-analysis criteria. Initial analyses indicated that telehealth interventions demonstrated large improvements compared with usual care in quality of life measures (Δ = 0.750, p = 0.007), albeit with substantial heterogeneity. Upon further analysis and outlier removal, telehealth interventions demonstrated significant improvements in quality of life compared with usual care (Δ = 0.141–0.144, p < 0.05). The results of the systematic review with meta-analysis indicate that supplementary interventions through telehealth may have a positive impact on quality of life compared with in-person usual care.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1060-1078
Number of pages19
JournalHealth Informatics Journal
Volume26
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2020

Keywords

  • cancer
  • emotional support
  • oncology
  • quality of life
  • symptom management
  • telehealth
  • telepsychiatry

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Informatics

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