Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 12, 2026

E-Patient Counseling Trial E-PACO: Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
Efficacy of Web-Based Interventions in Psychological Distress Among Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review and
Lorinda A Coombs1, Myoungsuk Kim2
1School of Nursing, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Lineberger Cancer Institute, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Objective:
This meta-analysis systematically evaluated the efficacy of web-based interventions in reducing psychological distress in patients with cancer.
Methods:
We conducted a comprehensive literature search of five major databases-PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library-through April 05, 2025. Following the PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, we identified randomized controlled trials comparing web-based interventions to control conditions. We extracted standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to quantify the effect sizes. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic, and predefined subgroup analyses were used to explore potential moderators. Two independent reviewers appraised the methodological quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool, and the overall certainty of evidence was graded using the GRADE framework.
Results:
Twenty RCTs, including 2470 participants, met the inclusion criteria. Pooled analysis showed that web-based interventions significantly reduced psychological distress compared to controls (SMD = -0.37, 95% CI: -0.55, -0.18), with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 73.2%; p < 0.001). Studies assessing psychosocial distress as a primary outcome showed larger effects, contributing to heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses indicated that therapist-guided interventions produced greater reductions in psychosocial distress than self-guided approaches.
Conclusions:
Web-based interventions provide a modest but significant benefit in alleviating psychological distress among patients with cancer, with greater efficacy when therapist support is included. Despite the substantial heterogeneity across trials, these findings underscore the scalability and accessibility of online mental health tools for oncology care. Future research should address optimal intervention components and delivery strategies to maximize clinical impact.
Related Concept Videos
Cancer Survival Analysis
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
Cancer Prevention
Some...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...