Effects of internet-based digital health interventions on the physical activity and quality of life of colorectal cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE

The recent trend of Internet-based digital health interventions has driven researchers to implement them to promote physical activity (PA) and improve patients' health outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the effects of Internet-based digital health interventions on PA and quality of life (QoL) in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors.

METHODS

We searched for relevant studies investigating the effects of internet-based digital health interventions published until Dec. 2022 in electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CEPS) according to PRISMA guidelines. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist was used to examine the quality of the included studies. We performed the fixed and random effects model for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Among 746 identified studies, eight published between 2018 and 2022 were included. These covered 991 internet-based digital health interventions and 875 controls. After 6 months of internet-based digital health interventions, CRC survivors' performance in PA (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.09-0.38) and QoL (SMD = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.01-0.22) indicators improved significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Internet-based digital health improved the PA behaviour and QoL of patients with CRC. Because of differences in intervention outcomes, additional randomized controlled trials are warranted to provide suggestions for clinical practice. Internet-based digital health interventions are promising for promoting PA in CRC survivors.