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Mobile applications for pain management: an app analysis for clinical usage
Peng Zhao1, Illhoi Yoo2,3, Robert Lancey4
1Informatics Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making
|June 1, 2019
Summary
Mobile pain management apps often lack clinical utility due to poor design and security. Most apps fail to involve healthcare professionals, hindering effective acute and chronic pain management. Further development is needed.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Digital Health
- Pain Management
Background:
- Pain is a prevalent and distressing symptom across all healthcare settings.
- A deficit in health informatics tools exacerbates chronic pain and opioid abuse crises.
- Mobile applications offer potential solutions for pain management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To qualitatively evaluate the content and functionality of mobile pain management applications.
- To identify limitations in current mobile pain management tools.
- To assess the suitability of apps for clinical use.
Main Methods:
- Searched Apple App Store and Google Play Store for pain management apps.
- Included apps with a pain diary function, available in English.
- Excluded apps specific to certain pain types or diseases.
Main Results:
- 36 apps met inclusion criteria, primarily functioning as pain diaries.
- Apps showed significant issues with user interface, security, and lack of clinician/end-user involvement.
- Few apps supported cross-platform use, clinician data visualization, HIPAA compliance, or the PEG tool.
Conclusions:
- Most mobile pain management apps have usability and security flaws.
- Limited clinician and end-user input compromises clinical utility.
- No apps were found suitable for widespread clinical adoption despite demand.
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