Effects of Internet-Based Lifestyle Interventions on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of internet-based interventions in improving clinical outcomes among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and to synthesize evidence for future research directions.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of nine electronic databases (CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, and CINAHL) was conducted from inception to September 23, 2024, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing internet-based lifestyle interventions in NAFLD patients. Two independent researchers screened studies, extracted data, and evaluated methodological quality. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3.5 software.

RESULTS

Ten RCTs involving 714 participants were included. Compared to the control group, the intervention groups showed significant reductions in BMI, ALT and AST. Weight loss trended toward reduction but was not statistically significant, though subgroup analysis showed significant weight loss in interventions lasting > 3 months.

CONCLUSION

Internet-based interventions significantly improve BMI and liver enzymes in NAFLD patients, with prolonged interventions (> 3 months) enhancing weight loss. Digital platforms show promise for enhancing self-management, though standardized long-term trials are needed to optimize efficacy.