Evaluating Effectiveness of mHealth Interventions for Rehabilitation in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (Preprint)

Background: Continuous supportive care using mobile health interventions with remote monitoring may provide remote assistance and improve clinical outcomes for head and neck cancer patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of mHealth interventions on quality of life (QOL), anxiety, depression, pain symptoms, swallowing function, patient satisfaction, and treatment adherence in patients with head and neck cancer. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched for publications prior to March 2025. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials of mHealth interventions targeting QOL as a primary outcome. Secondary outcome measures were anxiety, depression, pain symptoms, swallowing function, patient satisfaction, and adherence. Data were extracted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline and assessed for risk of bias by 2 reviewers. Meta-analytic estimates were calculated using random-effects models. Results: Nineteen studies published from 2000 to 2025 were included. Meta-analysis revealed a significant effect of mHealth interventions on QOL (SMD=0.11, 95% CI: 0.01–0.22, P=0.04), anxiety (MD = −0.56, 95 %CI: -1.09 to -0.05, P = 0.04), depression (MD = −0.59, 95% CI: -1.09 to -0.08, P = 0.02), swallowing function (SMD = 1.41, 95 %CI: 0.11–2.70, P = 0.03), patient satisfaction (MD=0.48, 95% CI: 0.11-0.85, p=0.01)and adherence (RR = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.01–1.17 P = 0.02). Sensitivity analysis indicated that the pooled results were robust and reliable. Conclusions: mHealth interventions could deliver an acceptable and effective strategy for improving QOL, anxiety, depression, swallowing function, patient satisfaction and adherence among patients with head and neck cancer. Further methodologically rigorous studies are warranted to evaluate the long-term effects. Clinical Trial: The study protocol has been registered with the PROSPERO: CRD42024559825.