Effectiveness of Nurse-Led Digital Health Interventions on Symptom Management and Quality of Life in Cancer Patients Undergoing Systemic Therapy: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
- Journal
- Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.) (Q2)
- Published
- 25 June 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review / meta-analysis of RCTs
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1a)
- Authors
- Omar Alqaisi, Safia Darwish, Faten Harb, Melinda Hysenaj, Lorent Sijarina, Patricia Tai
- PMID
- 42505188
- DOI
- 10.3390/curroncol33070386
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Health Informatics (top studies of the week, 2 August 2026).
Abstract
Cancer patients receiving systemic therapy experience substantial treatment-related symptoms. Nurse-led digital health interventions, e.g., interactive voice response systems, web platforms, mobile apps, and telehealth, have emerged as strategies to strengthen supportive care. To evaluate its effectiveness, this systematic review summarizes evidence exclusively from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, four databases were searched from inception to January 2025 for eligible RCTs involving adults undergoing anticancer therapy; evaluating nurse-led or nurse-co-led interventions using digital or telecommunication technologies; reporting validated symptom or health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed. Nine RCTs (N = 3344) met criteria; seven had low risk of bias. Interventions using telephone systems, web portals, mobile apps, or videoconferencing reduced symptom burden and improved HRQoL. The Symptom Care at Home system reduced symptom burden by ~43%, with greatest effects from combined automated monitoring and nurse practitioner follow-up. Additional benefits included improved anxiety, self-efficacy, patient participation, fewer severe toxicities and hospitalization days. In conclusion, nurse-led digital interventions effectively reduce symptom burden and support HRQoL during systemic therapy. Multicomponent models integrating automated monitoring with structured nursing follow-up and decision support appear most beneficial.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.