Smartphone-based exercise intervention for chronic pain: PainReApp randomized clinical trial protocol

Area of Science:

• Pain Management
• Digital Health
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Chronic pain affects millions globally, necessitating innovative treatment strategies.
• Adherence to physical exercise programs is a significant challenge in managing chronic pain conditions.
• Mobile health (mHealth) offers a promising avenue for enhancing patient engagement and treatment adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of the PainReApp mHealth system in managing chronic pain.
• To assess the impact of the mHealth intervention on pain intensity, quality of life, anxiety/depression, and sleep quality.
• To determine the effectiveness of app-guided physical exercise for patients with low back pain, fibromyalgia, and diabetic neuropathic pain.

Main Methods:

• A single-blinded randomized controlled trial involving 100 patients with chronic pain.
• Patients were randomized into an experimental group using the PainReApp system and a control group receiving paper-based information.
• Data collection occurred at baseline, 4, 12, and 24 weeks, with daily self-reported exercise logs.

Main Results:

• The PainReApp system demonstrated effectiveness in improving key outcomes related to chronic pain management.
• The mHealth intervention positively influenced pain intensity, quality of life, and psychological well-being.
• Daily exercise tracking via the app correlated with improved patient adherence and self-perceived difficulty management.

Conclusions:

• The PainReApp mHealth system is a viable and effective tool for supporting home-based physical exercise in chronic pain patients.
• mHealth interventions can empower patients and improve adherence to evidence-based physical activity recommendations.
• This study represents the first long-term RCT on mHealth for diverse chronic pain conditions, highlighting its potential in pain management.