TABLE 1.
Characteristics of included studies and technology-based interventions (TBIs)
| First Author, Year, Design, and Country | Study Aims | Sample Size (n); Setting and Severity of illness | Method of Recruitment | Control | TBI Name | TBI Modality and Platform | TBI Content | TBI Duration and Sessions Time | Interventionist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cockle-Hearne et al 2018; One group pretest-posttest; UK | Assess feasibility of online CBT among men experiencing mild to moderate distress after prostate cancer treatment. | (n=16) Outpatient diagnosed with localized prostate cancer within the last 3.5 years | Physician and nurse consultant invitation | N/A | Getting Down to Coping | Online CBT support website | CBT supplemented by peers’ support and chat room to encourage self-management. Self-monitor, improve cognitive, behavioral, and emotional responses necessary to maintain psychological wellbeing | 4 weekly sessions lasting one hour per session | Psychological practitioner, and oncology nurse |
| Hawkins et al 2017; RCT; USA | Examine computer-based support to improve HRQoL | (n=310) Outpatient newly diagnosed with prostate cancer (Stage I or II) | Hospital and cancer centers | Cancer mentor | CHESS | Interactive online support website | Address patient needs for information, communication and support, build skills, decision map tool, and a module on managing sexual problems | 6 months (as needed) | N/A (self-guided) |
| Lange et al 2017; Two group pretest-posttest; Germany | Examine the effectiveness of a guided chat groups in psychosocial aftercare | (n=143) Outpatient postprostatectomy; prostate cancer (Stage I to IV) | Prostate cancer clinic | Usual care | Web-based chat | Online chat group support website | Exchange concerns, problems and support with peers about incontinence, fear of progression, sexuality, communication, occupational reintegration, resource orientation, and coping | 1 to 2 months (Weekly group session lasting 60 to 90 min) | Psycho-therapist |
| Loiselle et al 2010; Two group pretest-posttest; Canada | Examine the impact of a multimedia informational system on health-related outcomes | (n=45) Outpatient newly diagnosed with breast or prostate cancer; (Stage I or II) | Oncology clinics | Usual care | Oncology Interactive Educational Series | Cancer related multimedia information (websites and CD-ROM) | Information about cancer prevention, detection, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, nutrition, pain, psychosocial care, community support, and answers to frequently asked questions | 8 weeks (as needed) | N/A (self-guided) |
| Osei et al 2013; RCT; USA | Examine the effect of an online support system on HRQoL | (n=40) Outpatient diagnosed with prostate cancer within the last 5 years | Mailing | Prostate Cancer Resource kit | Us TOO | International online support group website | Offers information about prostate cancer, symptoms and side effects management, informed decisions, active surveillance, and treatment options | 6 weeks (at least three times per week) | N/A (self-guided) |
| Ruland et al 2013; RCT; Norway | Examine the effects of online support system on symptom distress, depression, self-efficacy, HRQoL, and social support | (n=136) Outpatient undergoing treatment of breast or prostate cancer (Stage I to IV) | Advertising and mailing | Public cancer website | WebChoice | Online interactive health communication website | Enhanced symptoms monitoring, information and self-management, e-communication with health professionals, and e-forum group with peers. |
1 year (as needed) | N/A (self-guided) |
| Sundberg et al 2017; Two group pretest-posttest; Sweden | Examine the effect of a smartphone application on symptom burden and HRQoL | (n=130) Outpatient undergoing radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer | Hospitals | Usual Care | Interaktor | Interactive smartphone application for detecting, reporting and managing of symptoms | Selfcare advice, symptom history graphs, symptom assessment for bladder, bowel function, fatigue, pain, anxiety, distress, sleep, and flushing, and risk assessment model based on symptoms with alert notification. | 5 to 11 weeks (as needed) | Clinical nurses |
| Van De Wal et al 2017; RCT; Netherland | Examine the efficacy of blended CBT for high fear of cancer recurrence | (n=88) Outpatient survivors 6 months to 5 years posttreatment of breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer | Hospitals and mailing | Usual Care | bCBT | Blended CBT (website, face to face, and telephone call) | Psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, and behavioral modification modules delivered as face-to-face and e-consultations or may be replaced with telephone consultations along with a workbook. |
3 months (8 sessions total: five 1-h face-to-face sessions and three 15 minutes online consultation) | Oncology psychologist |
| Wootten et al 2015; RCT; Australia | Examine the efficacy of an online intervention to reduce participants’ psychological distress | (n=142) Outpatient undergoing treatment or posttreatment of localized prostate cancer within 5 years | Advertising, mailing, and urologist invitation | Moderated forum | My Road Ahead | Self-guided online psychological CBT website | Psycho-education, interactive exercises, automated feedback. The topics about the emotional impact of illness, cognitive strategies, communication, coping, and planning. | 10 weeks (as needed; recommended weekly) | N/A (self-guided) |
| Yanez et al 2015; RCT; USA | Examine the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a technology assisted psychosocial program | (n=74) Outpatient with advanced prostate cancer (Stage III or IV) | Hospitals | Health promotion | CBSM | Online cognitive behavioral stress management website | Stress management, education about (impotence, incontinence, intimacy, acceptance, existential concerns, and life narratives), stress reduction/relaxation technique, coping skills, interpersonal skills, and social networks. | 10 Weekly group sessions: 30 min of relaxation and 60 min of stress management. | Masters level therapist |
Abbreviations: bCBT: blended cognitive behavioral therapy; CBSM: cognitive-behavioral stress management; CBT: cognitive behavioral therapy; CHESS: Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System; HRQoL: health-related quality of life; N/A: not applicable; RCT: randomized controlled trial.