JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Breast cancer and its treatment can negatively affect women’s quality of life (QoL), including physical, psychological, and social well-being. Digital health interventions have been increasingly used to provide supportive care, but their effectiveness on QoL and related psychosocial outcomes in women with breast cancer remains unclear.

Objective:

To describe the effectiveness of digital health interventions on quality of life in women breast cancer patients and to assess the effectiveness of these resources in reducing anxiety or depression, and/or improving self-efficacy.

Methods:

This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO and conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was performed in September 2025 across PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, LILACS, and SciELO. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials evaluating digital health interventions for women with breast cancer and reporting QoL outcomes. A second reviewer independently screened 20% of records, with inter-rater agreement exceeding 90%. Data were extracted using a standardized template, methodological quality was assessed with the LEGEND tool, and findings were synthesized narratively because of heterogeneity in interventions and outcome measures.

Results:

A total of 408 records were identified, and 14 randomized controlled trials were included in the review. The studies were published between 2010 and 2025 and involved 1825 adult women, with sample sizes ranging from 35 to 394 participants. Regarding intervention type, 9 studies (64.3%) used internet-based approaches such as websites or mobile apps, 4 used text messaging delivered through platforms such as WhatsApp or WeChat, 1 used virtual reality, and 1 used an email listserv. Improvements in QoL were reported in 7 of the 14 studies. Self-efficacy was assessed in 5 studies, although improvement was reported in only 1 study and was not maintained over time. Anxiety, depression, or emotional distress were assessed in 10 studies, with significant improvements reported in 4 of them. Retention rates ranged from 68.6% to 97.1%. In the quality appraisal, 5 studies were rated as good quality and 9 as lower quality.

Conclusions:

Digital health interventions for women with breast cancer are feasible, acceptable, and can improve specific aspects of quality of life and emotional well‑being. Their effects, however, are inconsistent and tend to diminish without ongoing support. Future work should enhance adherence, include continuous personalized follow‑up, and standardize outcomes to achieve lasting benefits. Clinical Trial: CRD420250578307