Meta-analysis of the effects of Internet-based health education methods on post-treatment recovery and quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of Internet-based health education methods on post-treatment recovery and quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer through meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Wanfang database and other databases were systematically searched to screen clinical studies that met the inclusion criteria. The Cochrane bias risk tool was used to assess study quality, and RevMan 5.4 and STATA 17 software were used for data merging and statistical analysis, heterogeneity assessment, sensitivity analysis and publication bias test. Results: A total of 20 studies involving 1540 patients with colorectal cancer were included. Meta-analysis showed that Internet-based health education methods can significantly improve self-care skills (SMD = 2.62, 95%CI: 0.25 ~ 4.99, P = 0.03), significantly reduce SAS (SMD=-0.97, 95%CI: -1.11~-0.83, P < 0.01) and SDS scores (SMD=-2.08, 95%CI: -3.54~-0.63, P = 0.01), reduce the incidence of postoperative complications (Log(OR)=-1.08, 95%CI: -1.45~-0.72, P < 0.01), and significantly improve QOL scores (SMD = 0.51, 95%CI: 0.29 ~ 0.72, P < 0.01). Subgroup analysis showed that the intervention method based on the WeChat platform was more effective in improving SAS (SMD=-1.06, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Internet-based health education methods have significant positive effects in colorectal cancer patients, effectively reducing the incidence of postoperative complications, improving self-care ability, alleviating anxiety and depression symptoms, and improving quality of life. Further research is necessary to explore the long-term effects of different Internet education models.