Mobile Applications Enhance Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Cancer

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by a team from the University of Granada, led by Ana Gonzalez-Diaz, has shed light on the impact of mobile applications on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children with cancer. The systematic review analyzed 14 studies, focusing on symptom tracking, treatment adherence, and educational content provided by mobile apps. The findings suggest that mobile applications can effectively support symptom management, communication, and health education in pediatric oncology, leading to improvements in HRQoL.

Key Takeaways:

  • 324 records were initially identified through database searches, with 14 studies meeting the inclusion criteria.
  • Interventions commonly focused on symptom tracking, promoting treatment adherence, and delivering educational content.
  • Several studies reported high user acceptance and a potential positive impact on HRQoL, particularly when gamification strategies were incorporated.
  • Mobile applications may contribute to improvements in HRQoL, despite the preliminary nature and small sample sizes of most studies.
  • Further high-quality research involving younger children and diverse socio-cultural contexts is required to confirm their effectiveness.
  • The systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and searches were performed in PubMed (Medline), CINAHL, Cochrane, and Scopus databases.
  • The study included original research studies that examined the use of mobile apps in pediatric oncology patients, with a specific focus on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
  • Ana Gonzalez-Diaz and her team from the University of Granada conducted the systematic review, aiming to analyze the effect of mobile applications on the health of children with cancer.

Statistics:

  • 324 records were initially identified through database searches.
  • 14 studies met the inclusion criteria, focusing on symptom tracking, treatment adherence, and educational content provided by mobile apps.
  • Several studies reported high user acceptance, with a potential positive impact on HRQoL.
  • High-quality research involving younger children and diverse socio-cultural contexts is required to confirm the effectiveness of mobile applications.
  • The systematic review was conducted in January 2025.

Sources:

  • The Role of Mobile Applications in Enhancing the Health-Related Quality of Life of Children with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Children, 2025,12(7):927.
  • Researchers at University of Granada Release New Study Findings on Cancer (The Role of Mobile Applications in Enhancing the Health-Related Quality of Life of Children with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis). Health & Medicine Week. August 15, 2025; p 6138.