Digital behavioural weight loss interventions for weight management in breast cancer survivors: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of digital behavioural weight-loss interventions on body weight, BMI, waist circumference, physical activity, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted across six databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library, to identify eligible randomised controlled trials that investigated the effectiveness of digital behavioural weight loss interventions in weight management among breast cancer survivors. Data synthesis was performed using Stata 18.0 and Review Manager 5.4.1, and the quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE system.

RESULTS

A total of 17 RCTs involving 4644 breast cancer survivors who met the inclusion criteria were included. The meta-analysis results showed that digital weight loss interventions significantly reduced body weight (MD = -2.41, 95% CI: -3.32 to -1.49, P < 0.001), BMI (MD = -0.94, 95% CI: -1.51 to -0.37, P = 0.001) and waist circumference (MD = -3.06, 95% CI: -4.20 to -1.93, P < 0.001), and significantly increased levels of physical activity (SMD = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.42 to 0.65, P < 0.001). The improvement in quality of life was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Digital behavioural weight loss interventions can effectively improve weight, BMI, waist circumference, and physical activity levels in breast cancer survivors, and thus hold significant clinical value. Future research should further explore standardised frameworks for digital weight-loss interventions and examine their impact on quality of life.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD420261304996; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261304996.