The effectiveness of digital health interventions on anthropometric and healthy behavior in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of digital health interventions (DHIs) for improving anthropometric and healthy behavior in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS

Five databases were searched from their inception to April 2025 with no date restrictions. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using random-effects models. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.

RESULTS

Ten trials with 930 participants were included. In short-term (≤3 months), DHIs yielded significant reductions in BMI (MD -1.19; -1.84 to -0.55; I²=0%), waist circumference (MD -2.14; -3.11 to -1.17; I²=0%) and large improvements in total HPLP-II score (SMD 1.61; 1.20 to 2.01; I²=0%), physical activity (SMD 1.43; 1.04 to 1.83; I²=0%), health responsibility (SMD 1.02; 0.64 to 1.39; I²=0%), interpersonal relationships (SMD 0.96; 0.59 to 1.33; I²=0%), spiritual growth (SMD 1.25; 0.87 to 1.64; I²=0%) and stress management (SMD 1.17; 0.79 to 1.55; I²=0%); there was no significant change in body weight (SMD -0.04; -0.23 to 0.15; I²=0%) or HPLP-II nutrition (SMD 0.83; -0.11 to 1.78; I²=84%). In medium-term (3-6 months), DHIs continued to reduce BMI (MD -2.46; -3.04 to -1.88; I²=22%) and waist circumference (MD -4.65; -6.70 to -2.60; I²=0%), and yielded significant improvements in depressive symptoms (SMD -0.85; -1.17 to -0.53; I²=17%) and anxiety (SMD -0.95; -1.33 to -0.56; I²=42%).

CONCLUSION

Digital health interventions confer significant short- and medium-term improvements in anthropometric and healthy behavior measures among women with PCOS.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD420251030598.