Volume 32, Issue 4 pp. 979-1007
REVIEW ARTICLE

Effectiveness of telehealth interventions on psychological outcomes and quality of life in community adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Xiaonan Hao

Xiaonan Hao

School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China

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Yuan Qin

Yuan Qin

School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China

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Miaohua Lv

Miaohua Lv

School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China

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Xuetong Zhao

Xuetong Zhao

School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China

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Shuang Wu

Shuang Wu

School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China

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Kun Li

Corresponding Author

Kun Li

School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China

Correspondence

Kun Li, School of Nursing, Jilin University, 965Xinjiang street, Changchun 130021, China.

Email: [email protected]

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First published: 20 February 2023

Abstract

Physical distancing and contact restrictions have been implemented in most countries and territories due to the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2. This has caused physical, emotional, and psychological distress for adults living in the community. Diversified telehealth interventions have been widely applied in health care and have proven to be cost-effective and well accepted by patients and health professionals. Currently, the effectiveness of telehealth interventions on psychological outcomes and quality of life among community adults during the COVID-19 pandemic remains unclear. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library from 2019 to October 2022. Twenty-five randomized controlled trials with 3228 subjects were finally included in this review. Two independent reviewers performed the screening, extraction of key data points, and appraisal of the methodological quality. There were positive effects of telehealth interventions on anxiety, stress, loneliness, and well-being among community adults. Participants who were women or older adults were more likely to recover from negative emotions, increase well-being, and improve quality of life. The real-time and interactive interventions and remote cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) may be better choices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the findings of this review, health professionals have more options and alternatives for delivering telehealth interventions in the future. Rigorously designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with higher statistical power and long-term follow-up should be conducted in the future to strengthen the currently weak evidence.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

None.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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