Development and Use of Mobile Messaging for Individuals With Musculoskeletal Pain Conditions: Scoping Review.

Area of Science:

• Digital health interventions
• Musculoskeletal health
• Health behavior change

Background:

• Musculoskeletal conditions represent a significant global health burden, second only to cancer.
• Digital health interventions, particularly messaging, are increasingly utilized for health promotion and disease management.
• Messaging interventions may play a crucial role in the self-management of musculoskeletal conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To broadly map the literature on messaging for musculoskeletal conditions.
• To identify factors informing the design of future messaging interventions.
• To summarize evidence on the efficacy, effectiveness, and economics of messaging interventions.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review of literature from 2010-2022.
• Searches conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycINFO.
• Included studies on SMS text messaging and app-based messaging for musculoskeletal conditions.

Main Results:

• 50 papers were included, with most describing primary studies focused on behavior change (e.g., physical activity).
• Interventions targeted rheumatic diseases, general musculoskeletal pain, back pain, and neck pain.
• Outcomes generally favored messaging interventions or were equivocal; however, intervention design details were often poorly described, and no economic evaluations were found.

Conclusions:

• Messaging interventions demonstrate potential for musculoskeletal condition care and self-management with generally positive results.
• A significant gap exists in the literature regarding the detailed design and development of messaging interventions.
• Further research is needed to optimize messaging content, delivery, and understand economic implications for sustainable implementation.