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. 2025 May 7:7:1584764.
doi: 10.3389/fdgth.2025.1584764. eCollection 2025.

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

Hai Shan Chen  1 , Hua He  1 , Hai Hang Lin  1 , Yuan Zhang  1 , Nu Li  1 , Ya Mei Li  1
Affiliations

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

Hai Shan Chen et al. Front Digit Health. .

Abstract

Background: Mobile 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.

Methods: Four 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.

Results: In 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.

Conclusions: mHealth interventions can significantly improve long-term bowel function outcomes. However, more research is needed to confirm other physical and mental health outcomes.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, PROSPERO (CRD420250651320).

Keywords: long-term effects; meta-analysis; mobile health (mHealth); prostate cancer; short-term effects; symptom management.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Inclusion screening flow chart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Risk of bias summary.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Forest plot of the long-term effect of mHealth interventions on bowel function.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Subgroup analysis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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