Web-Based Peer Support Interventions for Adults Living With Chronic Conditions: Scoping Review.
Saima N Hossain, Susan B Jaglal, John Shepherd and 8 others
PMID 34032572WHAT IT FOUND
Most web-based peer support programs for chronic conditions lack a clear theoretical basis and are poorly described.
While some randomized trials showed benefits like increased self-efficacy, the evidence is limited to six trials across four conditions, leaving gaps for older adults and other diseases.
Key findings
01Only 12 of the 41 included studies reported an underlying theory or model for the intervention.
02Four of the six randomized controlled trials reported significant improvements in outcomes such as self-efficacy and social participation.
03Participants valued the anonymity of web-based support, which helped reduce perceived stigma.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they found
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The review excluded studies on primary mental health conditions. Only English-language studies were included, potentially biasing results toward English-speaking countries. The search was limited to a six-year window (2012-2018) due to resource constraints. Many included studies had small sample sizes and weak validity or reliability of measures. Conference abstracts and oral presentations were excluded.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret this review as strong evidence that web-based peer support works for your specific patient. The evidence base is small, with only six randomized trials covering four conditions, and most studies lacked a theoretical framework. The findings describe what is known about the characteristics of these programs, not a definitive proof of efficacy.