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Cancer is a major social, public health and economic problem worldwide, causing physical and psychological distress to patients. The emerging telemedicine model in healthcare delivery has garnered significant interest because of its potential effectiveness.
To assess the effects of telemedicine on distress, physical function, and self-efficacy in cancer patients.
This meta-analysis was conducted and reported in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 checklist.
Six databases were searched for relevant studies published from inception to October 2024. The literature search and data collection were conducted by two separate researchers. The quality of the methodologies in the studies included was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Data analysis was conducted using Review Manager (version 5.4).
Compared with the control group, patients who received telemedicine experienced significant reductions in distress (SMD = −0.44, 95% CI: −0.62 to −0.25, p < 0.00001, I 2 = 46%) and significant increases in physical function (SMD = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.01–0.22, p = 0.04, I 2 = 0%) and self-efficacy (SMD = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.23–0.69, p < 0.0001, I 2 = 0%).
Telemedicine can effectively enhance the psychological health and physiological function of cancer patients, as well as their self-efficacy, suggesting a sustainable approach to the clinical care of cancer patients. Future studies are needed to further investigate the effectiveness of telemedicine interventions in different types of cancer patients and in different cultural contexts and to conduct long-term follow-up studies to evaluate their long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.
This systematic review and meta-analysis provides evidence to offer effective and sustainable telemedicine care among cancer patients.
No patient or public contribution.
This study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (Registration number: CRD42024604929) under the title ‘The effectiveness of death education on death anxiety, depression and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials’. The full study protocol could be obtained at https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024604929
Patients with advanced cancer can suffer from serious distress like death anxiety and depression, in addition to facing a reduced quality of life. Death education interventions have been shown to improve these outcomes, but their effectiveness remains unclear, especially in the advanced stages.
This meta-analysis aimed to examine the efficacy of death education interventions on death anxiety, depression, and quality of life in advanced cancer sufferers, and to explore the influence of the intervention site, duration, the age of participants, and dyadic relationships with caregivers on the effectiveness of these interventions.
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed.
A systematic search of 10 electronic databases identified 19 eligible RCTs with 1531 participants. Data were extracted and analyzed via Review Manager 5.4. Subgroup analyses were performed on the basis of the intervention site, duration, age of participants, and presence of caregivers.
In comparison to the control intervention, the death education intervention notably alleviated death anxiety (SMD = −2.11, 95% CI: −5.91 to −0.89, p = 0.008) and depression (SMD = −0.45, 95% CI: −0.72 to −0.18, p = 0.001). Quality of life (SMD = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.39–1.33, p = 0.0003) was also significantly improved. Subgroup analyses revealed that interventions with longer durations, conducted in professional settings, and targeting younger patients were more likely to be effective in reducing depression and enhancing the quality of life. Interventions without family companionship were more effective in improving depression, while interventions with family companionship were more effective in improving quality of life.
Death education interventions are effective at improving death anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer. Tailoring interventions to individual features and cultural backgrounds is crucial to achieving the best effect.
Death education is an effective and important intervention measure that can help patients with advanced cancer better cope with death anxiety and depressive emotions and improve their quality of life. Clinical medical workers should select appropriate death education programs based on the specific conditions of patients and provide necessary support and guidance.
CRD42024565376
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