1. Benefits of Mobile Apps for Cancer Pain Management: Systematic Review
- Author
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Zheng, Caiyun, Chen, Xu, Weng, Lizhu, Guo, Ling, Xu, Haiting, Lin, Meimei, Xue, Yan, Lin, Xiuqin, Yang, Aiqin, Yu, Lili, Xue, Zenggui, and Yang, Jing
- Subjects
Information technology ,T58.5-58.64 ,Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 - Abstract
BackgroundPain ratings reported by patients with cancer continue to increase, and numerous computer and phone apps for managing cancer-related pain have been developed recently; however, whether these apps effectively alleviate patients’ pain remains unknown. ObjectiveThis study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the role of mobile apps in the management of cancer pain. MethodsLiterature on the use of apps for cancer pain management and interventions, published before August 2019, was retrieved from the following databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, Scopus, and PsycINFO. The effects of apps on cancer pain were evaluated using RevMan5.3 software, and the rates of adverse drug reactions were analyzed using the R Statistical Software Package 3.5.3. ResultsA total of 13 studies were selected for the analysis: 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 4 before-after studies, 2 single-arm trials, 1 prospective cohort study, and 1 prospective descriptive study. The 5 RCTs reported data for 487 patients (240 patients in the intervention group and 247 patients in the control group), and the remaining studies reported data for 428 patients. We conducted a meta-analysis of the RCTs. According to the meta-analysis, apps can significantly reduce pain scores (mean difference [MD]=–0.50, 95% CI –0.94 to –0.07, I2=62%, P=.02). We then used apps that have an instant messaging module for subgroup analysis; these apps significantly reduced patients’ pain scores (MD=–0.67, 95% CI –1.06 to –0.28, I2=57%, P
- Published
- 2020
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