Table 1.
Characteristics of included randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
| Study; year (country) | RCT design | Follow-up duration | Total participants (phone and video), n (n, n) | Population | Intervention and comparator | Reported relevant outcomes |
| Byaruhanga et al [31]; 2021 (Australia) | Parallel 3-arm | 4 months | 699 (229, 201) | Smokers older than 18 years, who live in rural and remote areas, with access to a telephone, internet, and email | Up to 6 sessions with 15-minute smoking cessation video counseling delivered by smoking cessation advisors via video communication technology (eg, Skype) vs that delivered via telephone | 7-day point prevalence abstinence, prolonged abstinence, and quit attempts |
| Cacioppo et al [12]; 2021 (United States) | Parallel 3-arm | 6 months | 119 (37, 38) | Patients with cancer who speak English and are eligible for cancer genetic testing | One session of genetic counseling by genetic counselors via HIPAAa-compliant videoconferencing software or telephone at the oncology clinic in addition to generic information flyers | Genetic counseling service uptake and satisfaction with telemedicine |
| Chambers et al [25]; 2006 (United Kingdom) | Parallel 2-arm | 12 months | 30 (15, 15) | Patients receiving parenteral nutrition | Standard care and follow-up according to usual protocols, with videophone or telephone with the nutrition nurse specialist: weekly for 1 month, fortnightly for 1 month, once a monthly for 4 months, and quarterly for the rest of the study | In-patient days |
| Egner et al [13]; 2003 (United States) | Parallel 3-arm | 24 months | 27 (11, 9) | Patients with multiple sclerosis who had a recent functional setback in disease process and with an Expanded Disability Status Scale score of ≥7 | Structured at-home education and counseling session delivered via video or telephone by a rehabilitation nurse | Depression, fatigue, and health-related quality of life |
| Fincher et al [14]; 2009 (United States) | Parallel 3-arm | One-off intervention and outcome survey | 75 (25, 25) | Patients with Parkinson disease who take ≥3 medications and have access to and are able to regularly use telephones and purpose-built videophones | 20-minute standardized Parkinson disease medication and counseling sessions by a nurse via videophone or telephone | Patient satisfaction |
| Hastings et al [15]; 2021 (United States) | Parallel 2-arm | 3 and a half months | 40 dyads (20, 20) | Veterans aged 65 years or older with complex medical conditions and suspected mild cognitive impairment, and their care partners | 12-week care management intervention: monthly video or telephone calls from a study nurse covering medication management, cardiovascular disease risk reduction, physical activity, and sleep behaviors | Feasibility, acceptability, and usability |
| Jerant et alb [16]; 2001 (United States) | Parallel 3-arm | 12 months | 37 (12, 13) | Patients with congestive heart failure aged 40 years or older who speak English | Home telecare delivered via a 2-way videoconference device with an integrated electronic stethoscope or nurse telephone calls | Health care costs and patient satisfaction |
| Kim et al [18]; 2018 (United States) | Parallel 2-arm | 6 months | 42 (21, 21) | 18-75–year-old women living with HIV who smoke ≥5 cigarettes per day, have smartphones, speak English, and are willing to set a quit date within 4 weeks from the first session | 8 weekly counseling sessions (10-30 minutes) by a counselor for smoking cessation conducted via video or telephone calls along with open-label nicotine patches (also for 8 weeks) | Biochemically verified 2- and 6-month abstinence |
| Kim et al [19]; 2016 (United States) | Parallel 2-arm | 3 months | 49 (25, 24) | 18-65–year-old Korean American women who had smoked ≥10 cigarettes per day for the last 6 months, who have access to video calls, without contraindication to nicotine patches, not pregnant or lactating, and are willing to set a quit date within 4 weeks from the baseline assessment | 8 weekly counseling sessions (30 minutes) conducted by therapists for a deep culturally adapted smoking cessation intervention by video or a telephone call app along with open-label nicotine patches (also for 8 weeks). Self-help materials and family coaching was provided twice before and after the quit day | Biochemically verified and self-reported 3-month abstinence |
| Kingery et alc [20]; 2021 (United States) and Manjunath et al [21]; 2021 (United States) | Parallel 3-arm | One-off intervention and outcome survey | 2551 (119, 71) | Outpatient orthopedic surgery patients | Video or telephone follow-up call by the surgeon | Patient satisfaction |
| McCrossan et ald [27]; 2012 (United Kingdom) and Ashley et al [26]; 2015 (United Kingdom) | Parallel 3-arm | 41 months | 83 (24, 35) | Infants with major congenital heart disease and their carers | Videoconferencing or telephone support with a clinician weekly or twice-weekly and urgently if needed | Health care resource use and inpatient days |
| Morgan et al [28]; 2008 (United Kingdom) | Parallel 2-arm | 1.5 months | 30 (14, 16) | Infants with major congenital heart disease and their carers | Home monitoring via videoconferencing or telephone calls following discharge from hospital, started twice-weekly and then as needed by physicians | Anxiety levels of families |
| Phillips et al [22]; 2001 (United States) | Parallel 3-arm | 12 months | 111 (36, 36) | 18-60–year-old patients with newly acquired spinal cord injury | Individual educational rehabilitation sessions with a nurse via video or telephone calls once a week for 5 weeks, and then fortnightly for 1 month | Depression, quality of life, and annual hospital days |
| Renard et al [29]; 2022 (Canada) | Parallel 2-arm | —e | 20 (10, 10) | Rehabilitation patients with nonurgent conditions who have access to the internet or a computer, who can follow instructions for exercises at home | Up to 6 sessions of videoconference or telephone follow-ups with a physiotherapist | Qualitative analysis of feasibility, clinical effectiveness, and patient satisfaction |
| Wakefield et alf [24]; 2008 (United States) and Wakefield et al [23]; 2009 (United States) | Parallel 3-arm | 12 months | 148 (47, 52) | Patients with heart failure | Home monitoring via a purpose-built videophone or telephone 3 times in the first week after discharge, and then weekly for 11 weeks (14 contacts over 3 months by the study nurse) | 6-month mortality, self-efficacy, and satisfaction with care |
| Young et al [30]; 2007 (Canada) | Parallel 2-arm | 1.5 months | 43 dyads (22, 21) | Pediatric orthopedic surgery patients and their caregivers | Follow-up using a purpose-built videophone or telephone post discharge on day 3 and as needed for 6 weeks by an orthopedic clinic nurse | Qualitative exploration of families’ experiences |
aHIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
bSame studies that published their results in multiple publications.
cSame studies that published their results in multiple publications.
dSame studies that published their results in multiple publications.
eNot available.
fSame studies that published their results in multiple publications.