Effectiveness of Mobile Health Interventions in Pediatric Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Cancer poses a significant threat to children's health, and mobile health (mHealth) is emerging as a key tool for remote disease management, health education, and follow-up. However, evidence of its effectiveness remains limited. Objective: This study aimed to summarize the effects of mHealth interventions for pediatric cancer compared with usual care, providing evidence-based support for optimizing intervention models and improving patient outcomes. Methods: A systematic search of 14 databases identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on mHealth apps for pediatric patients with cancer from inception to August 1, 2025. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, assessed bias risk, and graded evidence quality. The meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 15. Results: A total of 24 RCTs involving 2645 patients were included. This review found that mHealth interventions significantly reduced infection rates (odds ratio [OR] 0.25, 95% CI 0.10-0.60; P=.002) and the overall incidence of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) complications (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.10-0.24; P