eHealth Interventions for Children and Adolescents with Cancer: Scoping Review

Digital health interventions for pediatric oncology patients have evolved significantly between 2010 and 2023, shifting from basic symptom-tracking mobile applications toward sophisticated, interactive platforms such as serious games and virtual reality. These tools primarily target symptom monitoring and psychological support, demonstrating clear efficacy in enhancing patient knowledge, treatment adherence, and anxiety management. By leveraging mobile platforms, which account for nearly 60 percent of current solutions, developers have successfully increased patient engagement and improved the overall quality of care for children and adolescents navigating complex cancer treatments.

Despite these advancements, the field faces a substantial theoretical vacuum, as 84 percent of analyzed interventions lack explicit grounding in behavioral or psychological theory. This absence of a formal framework often results in design limitations, including a lack of personalization and a notable decline in user engagement over time. Furthermore, many tools fail to incorporate direct input from patients and caregivers during the development phase, leading to solutions that may not fully address the multifaceted physical, psychological, and social needs of the target population.

To ensure the long-term sustainability and scientific credibility of digital health in pediatric oncology, future development must prioritize user-centered, theory-informed design. Moving beyond narrow clinical scopes requires interdisciplinary collaboration and a commitment to rigorous longitudinal evaluation. By integrating developmentally appropriate features and robust evidence-based frameworks, the next generation of eHealth tools can overcome current barriers to adoption and provide more effective, personalized support for young patients throughout their treatment journeys.