Health related virtual communities and electronic support groups: systematic review of the effects of online peer to peer interactions

Objective To compile and evaluate the evidence on the effects on health and social outcomes of computer based peer to peer communities and electronic self support groups, used by people to discuss health related issues remotely. Design and data sources Analysis of studies identified from Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Evidence

[1]  G. Eysenbach The Impact of the Internet on Cancer Outcomes , 2003, CA: a cancer journal for clinicians.

[2]  E. Guallar,et al.  Meta-Analysis of Randomized Educational and Behavioral Interventions in Type 2 Diabetes , 2003, The Diabetes educator.

[3]  K. Humphreys,et al.  Electronic support groups for breast carcinoma , 2003, Cancer.

[4]  D. Ford,et al.  Internet support groups for depression: a 1-year prospective cohort study. , 2002, The American journal of psychiatry.

[5]  J. Harvey-Berino,et al.  Does using the Internet facilitate the maintenance of weight loss? , 2002, International Journal of Obesity.

[6]  Jonathon N. Cummings,et al.  The quality of online social relationships , 2002, CACM.

[7]  William F. Kelly,et al.  Reader beware: diabetes advice on the web , 2002 .

[8]  Tom Ferguson,et al.  From patients to end users , 2002, BMJ : British Medical Journal.

[9]  G. Eysenbach,et al.  Ethical issues in qualitative research on internet communities , 2001, BMJ : British Medical Journal.

[10]  J. Seeley,et al.  The diabetes network internet-based physical activity intervention: a randomized pilot study. , 2001, Diabetes care.

[11]  F Prisco,et al.  The chatline as a communication and educational tool in adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes: preliminary observations. , 2000, Diabetes care.

[12]  L. Landro Alone together. Cancer patients and survivors find treatment--and support--online. It can make all the difference. , 1999, The oncologist.

[13]  J. M. Kayany Contexts of uninhibited online behavior: flaming in social newsgroups on Usenet , 1998 .

[14]  Robert E. Kraut,et al.  Internet paradox. A social technology that reduces social involvement and psychological well-being? , 1998, The American psychologist.

[15]  P. Brennan,et al.  Computer network home care demonstration: a randomized trial in persons living with AIDS , 1998, Comput. Biol. Medicine.

[16]  P. Dunham,et al.  Computer-Mediated Social Support: Single Young Mothers as a Model System , 1998, American journal of community psychology.

[17]  Patricia Flatley Brennan,et al.  The Buffering Effect of a Computer Support Network on Caregiver Strain , 1998, Journal of aging and health.

[18]  F Alemi,et al.  Electronic self-help and support groups. , 1996, Medical care.

[19]  Min-Sun Kim,et al.  Verbal Aggression and Self-Disclosure on Computer Bulletin Boards. , 1991 .

[20]  T. Greening Marina , 1986 .

[21]  D. Gustafson,et al.  Impact of a patient-centered, computer-based health information/support system. , 1999, American journal of preventive medicine.

[22]  Carol Ebbinghouse,et al.  Frauds, Hoaxes, Myths, and Chain Letters: or, What's This Doing in My E-Mail Box?. , 1998 .

[23]  C. B. Taylor,et al.  Evaluation of a computer-mediated eating disorder intervention program. , 1998, The International journal of eating disorders.

[24]  B. Wellman An electronic group is virtually a social network. , 1997 .

[25]  F Gerr,et al.  Medical information on the Internet: a study of an electronic bulletin board. , 1997, Journal of general internal medicine.

[26]  Sid J. Schneider,et al.  Computerized communication as a medium for behavioral smoking cessation treatment: controlled evaluation , 1990 .