Table 2.

Characteristics of the included studies.

Author/ country	Study design	Sample size	Name of program/app	Intervention group	Control group
Egbring 201624 Switzerland	3-arm RCT	N = 139	Consilium Care	Group B: Used the Consilium Care app without a physician review Group C: Used the mobile app and reviewed the reported data with the physician at scheduled visits	Group A: Received regular physician support No access to a mobile app while undergoing chemotherapy
Fjell 202025 Sweden	RCT	N = 149	Interaktor	Symptom self-reporting Sent reminders to submit a report Monitored patient reports in real time Sent alerts of risk symptoms Provided self-care advice and relevant websites	Had visits with a physician before each chemotherapy session Had visits with a contact nurse Consulted with the nurse by telephone
Handa 202026 Japan	Feasibility RCT	N = 95	Breast cancer patient support system (BPSS)	Evaluated the side effects and recorded symptoms reported by patients. Provide tips on self-care	Received ordinary instructions on symptom management Received explanatory materials compiled by the anticancer agent manufacturers Recorded progress using their own notes
Post et al. (2013)27 USA	Pilot RCT	N = 50	Communicating Health Assisted by Technology (CHAT)	Completed symptom inventories Viewed videos on how to communicate about symptoms Tracked and shared symptom records with clinicians	Received the usual care
Zhu et al. (2018)28 China	RCT	N = 104	Breast cancer e-support (BCS) program	Learning forum Discussion forum Ask-the-Expert forum Personal Stories forum	Had no access to breast cancer e-support (BCS) No restrictions imposed on both groups in terms of performing other internet searches for information or social support