Cancer survivors may benefit from social media-based interventions

A meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) found that social media-based interventions – which are interventions from any form of online medium that enables participant interaction (eg, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter) – may be beneficial for cancer patients.

“[Our findings suggest that] social media-based interventions may complement usual care in improving quality of life (QoL) and anxiety symptoms of cancer patients,” said the researchers.

The review included 43 RCTs that evaluated the effects of social media interventions on individuals diagnosed with cancer from 11 countries (n=6,239; mean age 49.71 years). The interventions were mostly delivered via websites (40 percent), followed by social media (26 percent), mobile phone applications (21 percent), and other internet-based media (12 percent). [J Cancer Surviv 2023;17:1606-1627]

The meta-analyses showed that social media-based interventions were significantly effective, with a small effect size, in improving QoL (g=0.25) and anxiety symptoms (g=−0.41).

The random effects model also demonstrated statistically significant effects of social media-based interventions in improving anxiety symptom scores (Z=−2.34; p=0.02) but not depressive symptom scores (Z=−1.28; p=0.20).

On meta‑regression analyses, the number of features in a social media intervention significantly affected the effect size for QoL outcome (β=0.21; p=0.01). “This indicates that the presence of more social media features results in a better QoL outcome,” the researchers explained. Different features cater to individual preferences, allowing the interventions to be more inclusive, thus drawing more users. [J Product Brand Manag 2020;29:533-545]

Two theories

Following the media system dependency theory, social media usage increases when the features align with the needs of socially isolated patients. [Commun Res 2001;28:602-626] This consequently opens access to information that draws them towards other individuals with similar concerns, enabling them to form social categories and groups. [Commun Theory 2006;16:7-30]

As per the theory of social identity, the drive to seek social categories stems from the desire of socially isolated patients to validate the changes in their self-context and social identity. [Soc Sci Inf 1974;13:65-93] “An optimally suitable group becomes psychologically salient to the individual’s social context and produces strong social and emotional ties. Constant interaction within the group produces in-group norms, which act as attitude and behavioural regulators. This interaction gives patients stability and predictability, which can help reduce negative feelings during challenging times,” the researchers explained.

Integral to patient care

Cancer patients suffer from anxiety and depressive symptoms and poor QoL due to several factors. Poor QoL affects stress responses, treatment-seeking behaviour, and treatment compliance, thus influencing health outcomes. [Indian J Palliat Care 2019;25:575-579; Dent Clin North Am 2008;52:231-252; Mol Psychiatry 2020;25:1487-1499; Psychol Med 2010;40:1797-1810] Hence, QoL and anxiety and depressive symptoms are critical issues that should be integrated into care protocols for cancer patients.

“Healthcare institutions can consider integrating such interventions into the care plan of cancer patients in in/outpatient settings,” the researchers said. The results of this analysis can help guide the design and implementation of future social media-based interventions for clinical practice and research.

However, the researchers noted that the findings must be interpreted with caution owing to substantial heterogeneity, high overall risk of bias, and low certainty of evidence. “As such, future trials should use comprehensive research techniques to enhance the quality of trials. The use of masking, allocation concealment, and protocols are recommended.”

They also called for further investigations into the use of specific social media features for specific cancer types and stages.