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January 20, 2026Psycho-Oncology12 citations

The Effectiveness of Telemedicine‐Based Psychosocial Intervention for Fear of Cancer Recurrence, Mindfulness, and Posttraumatic Growth in Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

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YSYawen SuSZShu ZhangLDLiyang Duan

Key Points

  • This meta-analysis evaluates the impact of telemedicine-based psychosocial interventions on cancer survivors' psychological challenges.
  • Performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials involving 1951 cancer survivors.
  • Data analyzed using Review Manager 5.4 and RVE methods for robustness.
  • Conducted subgroup analyses based on intervention duration, participant age, gender, intervention methods, and follow-up time.
  • Telemedicine interventions reduced fear of cancer recurrence (SMD = -0.37, p < 0.0001).
  • Increased levels of mindfulness (SMD = -0.87, p = 0.04) and posttraumatic growth (MD = 5.96, p < 0.00001).
  • Shorter interventions and those targeting specific age/gender groups were more effective.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background With the continuous advancement of cancer treatment technology, the proportion of cancer survivors is gradually increasing, but they also face many psychological challenges. These challenges can seriously affect their quality of life. Telemedicine, as an innovative medical service model, can be combined with psychosocial intervention to provide cancer survivors with convenient, economical and accessible services to assist them in more effectively managing the difficulties posed by cancer and enhancing their overall well‐being. Objective This meta‐analysis sought to assess the impact of telemedicine‐based psychosocial interventions on fear of cancer recurrence, mindfulness, and posttraumatic growth in cancer survivors and to explore the influence of intervention duration, the age of participants, and specific online intervention methods on posttraumatic growth. Design A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed, in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement. Methods The meta‐analysis included 11 randomized controlled trials involving 1951 cancer survivors. Data were extracted and analyzed via Review Manager 5.4, with supplementary robust variance estimation (RVE) and RVE‐based meta‐regression (R 4.5.1, robumeta) for robustness. Subgroup analyses were performed on the basis of the intervention duration, the age of the participants, the gender of the participants, the specific online intervention methods, and the follow‐up time. Results Psychosocial interventions based on telemedicine significantly reduced cancer survivors' levels of fear of cancer recurrence (SMD = −0.37, 95% CI: −0.52 to −0.21, p < 0.0001) and increased their levels of mindfulness (SMD = −0.87, 95% CI: −1.69 to −0.04, p = 0.04) and posttraumatic growth (MD = 5.96, 95% CI: 3.57–8.36, p < 0.00001). RVE confirmed the robustness of core findings. Subgroup analyses revealed that less than 8 weeks of interventions, interventions targeting participants aged 60 and under, interventions for female participants only, telephone‐based online interventions, and with a follow‐up of ≤ 6 months interventions were more likely to be effective in promoting PTG. Conclusion Psychosocial interventions based on telemedicine can effectively alleviate the fear of cancer recurrence, improve mindfulness, and promote posttraumatic growth in cancer survivors. The duration of the intervention, the age of the participants, the gender of the participants, the specific online intervention methods, and the follow‐up time affect the effectiveness of the intervention. RVE further validates conclusion robustness. Additional studies are required to evaluate the enduring effects of these interventions, to understand the degree of patient involvement in digital interventions, and to examine how cultural context, socioeconomic position, and other variables might affect the intervention outcomes. Trail Registration CRD42024611421

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Cite This Study

Su et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/696f1b189e64f732b51ef205https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70377
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