SynthesisBMC cancer2018
Feasibility, useability and acceptability of technology-based interventions for informal cancer carers: a systematic review.
Synthesis in BMC cancer, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 58 papers, 7 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
58 citing papers in PubMed, 7 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 119 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effects of web-based interventions on cancer caregivers' burden and quality of life: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Palliative & supportive care · 2025Pooled it
- Efficacy of digital technology-based interventions for reducing caregiver burden and stress: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in digital health · 2025Pooled it
- Feasibility, usability, and acceptability of psychoeducational videoconferencing interventions for informal caregivers: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.Research in nursing & health · 2024Pooled it
- The Usability, Feasibility, Acceptability, and Efficacy of Digital Mental Health Services in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review, Systematic Review, and Meta-analysis.JMIR public health and surveillance · 2023Pooled it
- Effectiveness of telemonitoring on self-care behaviors among community-dwelling adults with heart failure: a quantitative systematic review.JBI evidence synthesis · 2021Pooled it
- Mobile Apps for Helping Informal Caregivers: A Systematic Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Pooled it
- Communication Technology Use by Caregivers of Adolescents With Mental Health Issues: Systematic Review.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2020Pooled it
- Trial
- A pilot randomized study of a telephone-based cognitive-behavioral stress-management intervention to reduce distress in phase 1 oncology trial caregivers.Palliative & supportive care · 2023Trial
- Outcomes of a randomized controlled trial assessing a smartphone Application to reduce unmet needs among people diagnosed with CancEr (ACE).Cancer medicine · 2020Trial
- Electroacupuncture Plus Auricular Acupressure for Chemotherapy-Associated Insomnia in Breast Cancer Patients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.Integrative cancer therapiesTrial
- Acceptability and feasibility of digital gamified cognitive training intervention for preschool children with cancer-related cognitive late effects: a mixed-methods study.BMC psychology · 2026Article
- Codesigning an Online Psychotherapeutic Intervention for Carers of People With Cancer-A Qualitative Study of Carer Needs and Perspectives on Psychological Support.Psycho-oncology · 2026Article
- Development and validation of the self-care in partners of cancer patients (SC-PC) questionnaire: a mixed methods study protocol.BMJ open · 2026Article
- Evaluating an AI-Enabled Mobile Mental Health Monitoring Tool Among Family Caregivers of Adults Living With Cancer: Single-Arm Feasibility and Acceptability Trial Protocol.JMIR research protocols · 2026Article
- Article
- The CARING intervention for neuro-oncology family caregivers: Randomized controlled trial feasibility, eSNAP/caregiver navigation engagement, and acceptability.Neuro-oncology practice · 2025Article
- Assessing the needs of family caregivers of patients attending an outpatient palliative care clinic: an explanatory sequential mixed methods pilot study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025Article
- Development of a Mobile App to Support Head and Neck Cancer Caregiving: Mixed Methods Study.JMIR cancer · 2025Article
- Diagnostic yield of follow-up in patients undergoing surgery for non-metastatic colorectal cancer.World journal of gastroenterology · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundCarers looking after someone with cancer often experience negative impacts on their own health. M-health interventions have been designed to provide information and support to patients and their carers. However, the effectiveness of technology-based interventions for carers is less well understood. The objectives were to assess the feasibility, useability and acceptability of technology-based interventions among carers of people living with cancer.
methodsA systematic search of the CINAHL, MEDLINE and PSYCINFO databases was performed using terms related to web-based interventions and smartphone applications, carers and cancer. Studies were included if a randomised controlled trial or pilot study was conducted, focused on adult carers looking after another adult with cancer and were published between January 2007-June 2017. Articles were excluded if they reported qualitative results only or were evaluating existing websites and applications. Feasibility was measured by attrition, recruitment rates and frequency of intervention use; useability was measured by the ease of intervention use and the role of features to minimise errors in use. Acceptability was measured by carers' perception of the appropriateness of the content and their ability to incorporate the intervention into their daily routines.
resultsOf the 729 articles, six articles met the inclusion criteria. Attrition ranged from 14% - 77%, recruitment rates from 20% - 66% and intervention useability varied across studies. Half of the studies implemented measures to improve useability. Overall, carers rated the content of the interventions as appropriate and reported improved knowledge and communication. Acceptability was further demonstrated as carers preferred the flexibility available with web-based interventions.
conclusionsTechnology-based interventions are suitable for use among carers of people with cancer. Further research is required to fully assess the impact of technology as an information and support mechanism for carers.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.