Research Appraisals

JMIR nursing

Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence-Based Nursing Interventions for Chronic Illness Care: Umbrella Review

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI)-based nursing interventions are increasingly being used to manage chronic illnesses; however, their definitive impact on clinical outcomes remains inconclusive, necessitating a comprehensive evidence synthesis. OBJECTIVE: This umbrella review aimed to synthesize the evidence regarding the effectiveness of AI-based nursing interventions for chronic illness care and their subsequent impact on health care outcomes in clinical settings. METHODS: We conducted an umbrella review and prospectively registered the protocol. A systematic search of 5 electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science) was performed to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in English between 2021 and 2025. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist. RESULTS: Eight high-quality systematic reviews were included, with machine learning identified as the predominant technology. Three primary outcome domains emerged: predictive, psychosocial, and hospital utilization. Due to measurement heterogeneity, the results were synthesized narratively. Our findings demonstrated that AI-based nursing interventions are effective in predicting adverse clinical events, unplanned hospital utilization, and health care costs. However, evidence regarding psychosocial outcomes remains insufficient. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides systematic evidence supporting the utility of AI in chronic illness management, particularly for improving predictive and utilization outcomes. These findings offer actionable insights for nursing leaders to integrate AI into clinical practice and education. Future research should prioritize rigorous empirical designs to further strengthen the evidence base for AI-driven nursing care.