Systematic review and meta-analysis of telehealth in palliative care for advanced cancer
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Key Takeaway
Consider telehealth may improve quality of life and reduce symptom burden in advanced cancer palliative care.
This is a systematic review and meta-analysis with narrative synthesis examining telehealth interventions for adults with advanced cancer in palliative care. The review included 6 eligible randomized controlled trials from 42 studies screened. The authors synthesized findings on quality of life, symptom burden, and depression. A random-effects meta-analysis found a significant improvement in quality of life with a standardized mean difference of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.09-1.53). Symptom burden showed a significant reduction with a standardized mean difference of -1.44 (95% CI: -2.24 to -0.65). No significant effects were found for depression. The authors acknowledge limitations, including the need for future research to identify optimal delivery models and examine equity-related barriers to support wider implementation and policy development. Based on this synthesis, telehealth in palliative care may help improve quality of life and alleviate symptom burden among patients with advanced cancer, though the evidence is derived from a limited number of studies.
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View Original Abstract ↓
BACKGROUND: Telehealth is being integrated with palliative care for patients with advanced cancer to improve access to specialized palliative care. However, its effectiveness and implementation requirements in palliative care remain unclear.
AIM: This study evaluates the effectiveness of and implementation requirements for telehealth in palliative care patients with advanced cancer.
DESIGN: This was designed as a systematic review and meta-analysis with narrative synthesis (registered; CRD42024581786). The effects on patients' quality of life, symptom burden, and depression were analyzed using a random-effects meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. A narrative synthesis was conducted for all included studies.
DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched in September 2025. Eligible studies comprised controlled trials, observational studies, and qualitative studies involving adults with advanced cancer who received telehealth in palliative care.
RESULTS: Of the 4232 records screened, 42 met the inclusion criteria, and six were eligible for meta-analysis. Telehealth interventions primarily involved videoconferencing, telephone, or text-based communication. Telehealth in palliative care demonstrated significant improvement in quality of life (standardized mean difference: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.09-1.53) and reduction in symptom burden (standardized mean difference: -1.44; 95% CI: -2.24 to -0.65) but had no significant effects on depression. Implementation requirements included trained multiprofessional teams, accessible digital infrastructure, sustainable reimbursement mechanisms, and standardized outcome measurements.
CONCLUSIONS: Telehealth in palliative care may help improve quality of life and alleviate symptom burden among patients with advanced cancer. Future research should identify optimal delivery models and examine equity-related barriers to support wider implementation and policy development.
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