The effectiveness of digital psychosocial interventions on psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life in patients with gynaecological cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Patients with gynaecological cancer often experience psychological issues due to multiple stressors. Psychological disturbances have debilitating effects on patients with gynaecological cancer. In recent decades, digital psychosocial interventions have rapidly advanced and been incorporated into mental health interventions. Digital psychosocial interventions could provide patients with several benefits over traditional in-person interventions, including convenience, anonymity, flexible scheduling, and geographic mobility. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the effectiveness of digital psychosocial intervention in reducing psychological distress, depression, and anxiety and improving health-related quality of life in patients with gynaecological cancer.

Three-step extensive search was performed on 22 December 2022 from nine bibliographic databases, trial registries and grey literature. Experimental studies involving patients with gynaecological cancer utilizing digital psychosocial interventions for the improvement of mental health outcomes were included. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 software. Heterogeneity was analysed by Cochran’s Q test and I². Subgroup analyses were attempted to evaluate relative effect sizes of subgroup features.

Meta-analysis of nine studies revealed small effect size in reduction of depression post-intervention (d = 0.24, 95% CI − 0.46 to − 0.02) and medium effect size in reduction of psychological distress post-intervention (d = 0.51, 95% CI − 0.81 to − 0.21) and follow-up (d = 0.65, 95% CI − 1.25 to − 0.05) compared to the control group. The effects of digital psychosocial interventions on anxiety and health-related quality of life were not statistically significant.

Digital psychosocial interventions probably reduced psychological distress and slightly reduced depression amongst patients with gynaecological cancer compared to the control group, which can be integrated into clinical practice. Additional trials with rigorous methodology and bigger sample sizes are needed to validate findings.

PROSPERO (CRD42023389502).