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Digital health in head and neck cancer: a systematic review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 April 2023

Kate Hulse Open the ORCID record for Kate Hulse [Opens in a new window] ,
Lucy Qian Li Open the ORCID record for Lucy Qian Li [Opens in a new window] ,
Anja Lowit ,
Roma Maguire  and
Catriona Douglas Open the ORCID record for Catriona Douglas [Opens in a new window]
Kate Hulse*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Lucy Qian Li
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Anja Lowit
Affiliation:
Speech and Language Therapy Department, School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Roma Maguire
Affiliation:
Digital Health and Care, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Catriona Douglas
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
*
Corresponding author: Kate Hulse; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective

Digital health tools are increasingly being recognised as effective interventions in monitoring chronic health conditions. This systematic review addressed how digital health is currently utilised in patients with head and neck cancer as an adjunct to care.

Method

Studies of the development or evaluation of an eHealth, telemedicine or telemonitoring tool were eligible. A narrative synthesis was performed as per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses reporting guidelines.

Results

Twenty-nine studies of digital health tools in head and neck cancer were identified. Nine were randomised, controlled trials but most had concern of bias. Fourteen (48 per cent) of the interventions used multiple modes of delivery. The primary digital tool functions are symptom tracking and self-care, prehabilitation and rehabilitation, psychological support, and education, including decision aids. Most tools aimed to support patients during active cancer treatment.

Conclusion

There are a small number of digital health tools for head and neck cancer patients; however, there is a lack of well-designed randomised, controlled trials to demonstrate effectiveness.

Keywords

Head and neck neoplasmstelemedicinerehabilitationsurvivorshipquality of life
Type
Review Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 137 , Issue 12 , December 2023 , pp. 1312 - 1325
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Kate Hulse takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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