Smartphone Applications Designed to Improve Older People’s Chronic Pain Management: An Integrated Systematic Review

Abstract

(1) Background: Older people’s chronic pain is often not well managed because of fears of side-effects and under-reporting. Telehealth interventions, in the form of smartphone applications, are attracting much interest in the management of chronic diseases, with new and evolving approaches in response to current population demographics. However, the extent to which telehealth interventions may be used to promote and effect the self-management of chronic pain is not established. (2) Aim: To provide an objective review of the existing quantitative and qualitative evidence pertaining to the benefits of smartphone applications for the management of chronic pain in older people. (3) Methods: A literature search was undertaken using PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Embase, PsychINFO, the Cochrane database, Science Direct and references of retrieved articles. The data were independently extracted by two reviewers from the original reports. (4) Results: This integrative systematic review identified 10 articles considering smartphone applications related to self-management of chronic pain among older adults. (5) Conclusions: It is important for future research to not only examine the effects of smartphone initiatives, but also to compare their safety, acceptability, efficacy and cost–benefit ratio in relation to existing treatment modalities.

A mobile health + health coaching application for the management of chronic non-cancer pain in older adults: Results from a pilot randomized controlled study

“…Our methods led to an acceptable recruitment rate with approximately three-quarters of eligible individuals enrolling in the study, which supports prior research showing that older adults with pain are interested in digital applications ( 8 , 9 , 38 ). Despite this success, the ability to retain participants was much lower than anticipated as evidenced by a dropout rate of 35%.…”

“…Although the scope of mHealth applications and tools continues to expand, research examining the feasibility and efficacy of these technologies as a means of mitigating CNCP in older adults remains limited. One systematic review examined the effects of mHealth interventions on the management of CNCP in older adults and identified just 10 studies ( 9 ). The studies were largely qualitative, and the authors concluded that research investigating mHealth tools to manage CNCP in older adults remains scant ( 9 ).…”

“…One systematic review examined the effects of mHealth interventions on the management of CNCP in older adults and identified just 10 studies ( 9 ). The studies were largely qualitative, and the authors concluded that research investigating mHealth tools to manage CNCP in older adults remains scant ( 9 ).…”

Chronic pain through COVID

“…Informed by a recent review of the literature ( 11 ) and the findings of Wethington's 2018 consensus workshop, the project team developed a semi-structured topic guide to explore the dimensions of experience and engagement with technology. The guide was used to inform the development of an interview protocol ( Box 1 ) to conduct the focus groups.…”

“…Previous research on the assessment and management of chronic pain has largely excluded older people and is dominated by pharmaceutical approaches ( 9 , 10 ). There is limited exploration of what technology means in terms of practical application, acceptability and feasibility for an ageing population ( 11 ). More specifically, the older person's own understandings and perceptions of the issue are marginalised in the literature.…”