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Impact of Digital Health Interventions on the Quality of Life of College Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
ABSTRACT
Background:
Digital health interventions (DHIs), as an emerging health intervention strategy, have demonstrated considerable potential in promoting healthy lifestyles. However, despite the exploration of their application among university students in existing literature, systematic evidence regarding their impact on students’ quality of life (QoL), life satisfaction, and well-being remains scarce.
Objective:
This systemic review aimed to systematically assess the impact of DHIs on the QoL of university students and to investigate the role of various interventions modalities in enhancing QoL.
Methods:
Following the PRISMA 2020 statement, a systematic search was conducted in eight databases (including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane, EBSCO, Scopus, CNKI, and VIP) for studies published from January 1, 2015, to July 1 2025. Selection criteria included quantitative studies investigating the impact of DHIs on QoL among university students aged 17 to 30 years. The primary outcome was QoL, and secondary outcomes included life satisfaction and well-being. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool, with the results presented through a combination of narrative and quantitative methods.
Results:
A total of nine studies were included, involving 786 participants for QoL assessment and 374 participants for life participants for life satisfaction and well-being evaluation. Specifically, seven studies reported QoL, and four reported life satisfaction and well-being. The meta-analysis demonstrated that the overall QoL measures indicated superior outcomes in the intervention group in comparison to the control group, with a significant difference (SMD=0.25, 95% CI 0.11-0.39, P=0.0005 < 0.05), though moderate heterogeneity was present. In the context of the four distinct intervention subgroups, the psychological intervention group exhibited the most marked enhancement in QoL (SMD=0.55, >0, 95% CI 0.34, 0.75). Conversely, effects observed in exercise video, wearable device–based monitoring, social media, and dietary intervention groups were comparatively modest. Regarding life satisfaction and well-being, the intervention group demonstrated significant effects (SMD=0.44, 95% CI 0.23, 0.65, P<0.0001<0.05) with minimal heterogeneity.
Conclusions:
DHIs demonstrate a favorable effect on the QoL of university students, with psychological interventions appearing most effective. However, the efficacy of other intervention modalities warrants further investigation due to modest effects. Clinical Trial: Registration number: CRD420251118039
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