Recent Advances in Non-Invasive Digital Nursing Technologies for Chronic Pain Assessment and Management: An...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Nursing Informatics
• Pain Management

Background:

• Chronic pain affects millions globally, necessitating innovative management strategies.
• Traditional pain management approaches face challenges in accessibility and resource utilization.
• Digital technology offers a promising avenue to augment nursing care for chronic pain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify digital technologies utilized by nurses in chronic pain management.
• To evaluate the success and effectiveness of these digital interventions.
• To explore the role of nurses in delivering digital health solutions for pain.

Main Methods:

• An integrative review methodology was employed, guided by Whittemore and Knafl.
• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across five databases (CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus) from January 2018 to November 2024.
• Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and Joanna Briggs Appraisal Tool, with thematic analysis applied.

Main Results:

• Telehealth and web-based interventions are key digital technologies used by nurses for chronic pain management.
• Nurses deliver interventions such as exercise, cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and self-management techniques digitally.
• These digital approaches demonstrate effectiveness in reducing healthcare resource utilization and improving accessibility.

Conclusions:

• Web-based interventions and telemedicine are primary digital tools for nurses managing chronic pain, particularly for psychosocial interventions.
• Digital technologies are crucial for bridging healthcare access gaps, offering cost-effective and accessible care.
• Nurses must embrace digital technology for professional development and to enhance patient outcomes in chronic pain management.