Effectiveness of mobile health in symptom management of prostate cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundMobile health (mHealth) is an accessible strategy to deliver health information and is becoming increasingly popular as a form of follow-up among medical staff. However, the effects of mobile health on the physical and mental health outcomes of patients with prostate cancer after discharge...

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Main Authors: Hai Shan Chen, Hua He, Hai Hang Lin, Yuan Zhang, Nu Li, Ya Mei Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Digital Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1584764/full
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author Hai Shan Chen
Hua He
Hai Hang Lin
Yuan Zhang
Nu Li
Ya Mei Li
author_facet Hai Shan Chen
Hua He
Hai Hang Lin
Yuan Zhang
Nu Li
Ya Mei Li
author_sort Hai Shan Chen
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundMobile health (mHealth) is an accessible strategy to deliver health information and is becoming increasingly popular as a form of follow-up among medical staff. However, the effects of mobile health on the physical and mental health outcomes of patients with prostate cancer after discharge from the hospital remain unclear. This meta-analysis evaluated the current evidence regarding the effects of mHealth interventions on the outcomes of patients with prostate cancer.MethodsFour databases (PubMed, Cochrane Central electronic database, EMBASE, and Web of Science) were searched from inception to 8 November 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of mobile health vs. usual care on the outcomes of patients with prostate cancer. Pooled outcome measures were determined using random effects models.ResultsIn total, 11 RCTs, including 1,368 patients, met the criteria for inclusion in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed a significant effect of mHealth interventions on long-term bowel function outcomes (standard mean difference = 0.19, 95% confidence interval = 0.01–0.37, P = 0.04, I2 = 0.00%) compared with the usual standard care or no mHealth. However, no significant differences were observed in the following outcomes: short-term and long-term effects on anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, psychological distress, and urinary and hormonal function, and short-term effects on bowel function.ConclusionsmHealth interventions can significantly improve long-term bowel function outcomes. However, more research is needed to confirm other physical and mental health outcomes.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, PROSPERO (CRD420250651320).
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spelling doaj-art-c82eb4651b0447e1b9b62bc8a3f945572025-08-20T03:48:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Digital Health2673-253X2025-05-01710.3389/fdgth.2025.15847641584764Effectiveness of mobile health in symptom management of prostate cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysisHai Shan ChenHua HeHai Hang LinYuan ZhangNu LiYa Mei LiBackgroundMobile health (mHealth) is an accessible strategy to deliver health information and is becoming increasingly popular as a form of follow-up among medical staff. However, the effects of mobile health on the physical and mental health outcomes of patients with prostate cancer after discharge from the hospital remain unclear. This meta-analysis evaluated the current evidence regarding the effects of mHealth interventions on the outcomes of patients with prostate cancer.MethodsFour databases (PubMed, Cochrane Central electronic database, EMBASE, and Web of Science) were searched from inception to 8 November 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of mobile health vs. usual care on the outcomes of patients with prostate cancer. Pooled outcome measures were determined using random effects models.ResultsIn total, 11 RCTs, including 1,368 patients, met the criteria for inclusion in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed a significant effect of mHealth interventions on long-term bowel function outcomes (standard mean difference = 0.19, 95% confidence interval = 0.01–0.37, P = 0.04, I2 = 0.00%) compared with the usual standard care or no mHealth. However, no significant differences were observed in the following outcomes: short-term and long-term effects on anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, psychological distress, and urinary and hormonal function, and short-term effects on bowel function.ConclusionsmHealth interventions can significantly improve long-term bowel function outcomes. However, more research is needed to confirm other physical and mental health outcomes.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, PROSPERO (CRD420250651320).https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1584764/fullprostate cancermobile health (mHealth)symptom managementlong-term effectsshort-term effectsmeta-analysis
spellingShingle Hai Shan Chen
Hua He
Hai Hang Lin
Yuan Zhang
Nu Li
Ya Mei Li
Effectiveness of mobile health in symptom management of prostate cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Frontiers in Digital Health
prostate cancer
mobile health (mHealth)
symptom management
long-term effects
short-term effects
meta-analysis
title Effectiveness of mobile health in symptom management of prostate cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Effectiveness of mobile health in symptom management of prostate cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Effectiveness of mobile health in symptom management of prostate cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Effectiveness of mobile health in symptom management of prostate cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Effectiveness of mobile health in symptom management of prostate cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort effectiveness of mobile health in symptom management of prostate cancer patients a systematic review and meta analysis
topic prostate cancer
mobile health (mHealth)
symptom management
long-term effects
short-term effects
meta-analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1584764/full
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