Meta‑analysis of 27 randomized trials points to benefits from digital health—though results vary and distress didn’t budge overall.
Smartphone apps, web programs and other e‑health tools can help many people with breast cancer feel less anxious and depressed and report a better quality of life, according to a new systematic review and meta‑analysis published in Cancers. The authors pooled 27 randomized controlled trials involving 2,898 patients and found moderate reductions in anxiety and depression and a meaningful uptick in quality of life, compared with usual care. Distress, however, did not improve overall.
What the study did
Researchers searched PubMed and Scopus through November 2024 for trials testing patient‑directed e‑health—such as mobile apps, web programs, wearable‑guided exercise, and virtual reality—before, during and after treatment. A PRISMA flow diagram on page 5 shows 1,488 records narrowed to 27 eligible trials. Most interventions lasted 3–24 weeks, and mobile apps were the most common format. Trials spanned Asia, Europe, the Americas and Australia.
Key findings (illustrated in the forest plots on pages 10–13):
- Anxiety: Lower with e‑health than control (moderate effect). Mobile‑app programs stood out for anxiety relief. See page 10.
- Depression: Lower with e‑health overall (moderate effect). Web‑based programs showed the clearest signal here. See page 11.
- Quality of Life (QoL): Better with e‑health (small‑to‑moderate gain), particularly for mobile‑app interventions. See page 12.
- Distress: No significant overall change; in subgroup analyses, longer programs (≥12 weeks) appeared more helpful. See page 13.
Why it matters
Cancer care increasingly extends beyond the clinic. Digital supports can coach patients through symptoms, treatment side effects and daily coping—without extra travel or wait times. For those living far from cancer centers or juggling work and caregiving, credible e‑health tools may offer accessible, low‑cost help alongside standard care.
Important caveats
The trials differed widely in design, duration and measures, and only three met stringent “low risk of bias” criteria; many lacked blinding. That heterogeneity means results should be read as encouraging—but not definitive—and more robust, standardized trials are needed to determine which features, formats and durations work best. See risk‑of‑bias summary on page 9.
The Nano Post takeaway
If you’re being treated for—or living after—breast cancer, talk with your care team about reputable digital options (for example, programs that track symptoms, teach coping skills, support exercise, or offer mindfulness training). These tools can complement—not replace—medical care, and the best results may come from structured programs you can stick with over several weeks.
Source: Mitsis A., Filis P., Karanasiou G., et al. “Impact of e‑Health Interventions on Mental Health and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients,” Cancers 2025 (published May 26, 2025).
Editor’s note: This article is for information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.