Effects of web-based interventions on cancer caregivers' burden and quality of life: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: As cancer incidence and survival rates rise, caregivers responsible for providing diverse support face increased burden and reduced quality of life (QoL). Although research on web-based interventions for this group is expanding, the impact of these interventions on caregiver burden and QoL remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of web-based interventions on the caregiver burden and QoL of caregivers of patients with cancer.

Methods: Searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycINFO from database inception to 10 June 2024. Two reviewers independently assessed each study and extracted data. The risk-of-bias in the studies was evaluated using Cochrane's Risk-of-Bias tool for randomized controlled trials. The intervention effects were calculated using R package Meta version 4.0.3, utilizing standardized mean differences (SMD; Hedge's ĝ) to calculate pooled effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Publication bias assessment and sensitivity analysis were conducted to ensure the robustness of the results.

Results: We reviewed 13 randomized controlled trials; our analysis indicated a small effect size of web-based interventions on caregiver burden (SMD = -0.19, 95% CI: -0.36 to -0.01). However, sensitivity analysis concluded that the effect was very small or nearly absent. Additionally, there was no statistically significant effect on QoL (SMD = 0.15, 95% CI: -0.05 to 0.36).

Significance of results: Web-based interventions did not significantly reduce caregiver burden or improve caregivers' QoL. To improve caregiver burden and QoL in the future, comprehensive and tailored web-based interventions for this population are needed.