Supportive eHealth Technologies and Their Effects on Physical Functioning and Quality of Life for People With Lung Cancer: Systematic Review

Abstract

Background Despite advancements in treatment and early diagnosis, people with lung cancer are not living as long as those with other cancers. The more common symptoms of lung cancer, such as breathlessness, fatigue, and depression, can be alleviated by improving patients’ physical functioning. Therefore, good symptom management and improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are priorities in this patient group. However, current health care services have limited capacity to provide this support. One way to address this issue of health care resources is to empower patients to self-manage their condition using eHealth technologies. Objective The purpose of this review was to identify and assess available research on technologies that support persons with lung cancer to improve or maintain their physical functioning, HRQoL, or both. Methods Six databases—PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, and PsycINFO—were searched from January 1, 1990, to April 30, 2023. Studies were suitable for inclusion if the participants included people with lung cancer aged >18 years who had been exposed to a physical activity, exercise, or training intervention that was delivered via an electronic or web-based application with or without a comparator. Furthermore, the study had to report on the impact of the intervention on physical functioning and HRQoL. Studies that focused on telemedicine without a digital intervention were excluded. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system was used to assess the quality of the included papers. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, a narrative synthesis was undertaken. Results This review is reported in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A total of 794 papers were initially identified through our search, of which, after screening, 8 (1%) were confirmed suitable for inclusion in the review. As 2 (25%) of the 8 papers reported on different stages of the same study, we included only 7 studies in our analysis. The studies were undertaken between 2010 and 2018 across multiple countries and aimed to develop a technology and test its feasibility or acceptance. The 7 technologies identified included web-based applications, mobile apps, and gaming consoles. The studies demonstrated impact on walking distance, muscle strength, balance, dyspnea symptoms, and cancer-related fatigue. HRQoL scores also showed improvement. Conclusions The findings indicate that eHealth technologies can positively impact physical functioning and well-being for people with lung cancer, but there are limited studies that demonstrate the impact of these digital interventions over longer periods. None of the studies reported on the implementation or adoption of a mobile health or eHealth intervention in routine clinical practice, highlighting the need for further research in this area. Trial Registration PROSPERO CRD42023414094; https://tinyurl.com/39hhbwyx