Effectiveness of Digital Health Interventions (DHI) in Chronic Pain Management: A Scoping Review of Current Evidence and Emerging Trends

Abstract

This review aims to address the impact of digital health interventions (DHIs) on chronic pain management, specifically, mHealth, eHealth, wearable devices, virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence. The following study identifies and assesses DHIs' efficacy in specific chronic pain conditions and then extrapolates improved outcomes and patient groups that benefit from their use. Using a systematic methodology, this review synthesizes findings that could improve knowledge for patients and practitioners in chronic pain management while also addressing gaps in understanding the impact of DHIs. Sub-questions guide the identification of gaps and recommendations assessing DHIs' effectiveness for pain reduction and improved quality of life. A systematic search across databases (EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Sciences, Cochrane Central) targets original, English-language, peer-reviewed studies (2013-2023). The inclusion criteria cover DHIs in chronic pain management for adults age 18+, excluding non-full texts, reviews, opinion pieces, or unrelated articles. Search terms include "chronic pain management" OR "long-term pain relief strategies" OR "sustained pain alleviation" OR "pain control for chronic conditions" OR "chronic pain" AND "ehealth interventions" OR "mobile health interventions" OR "digital therapy" OR "health informatic solutions" OR "digital health intervention." After applying inclusion criteria, 34 articles from 11 countries are included, with studies conducted primarily in the United States (n = 17), United Kingdom (n = 4), and Australia (n = 3). DHIs are emerging as effective tools in pain management, as they can emphasize patient autonomy and communication with clinicians while enabling medical self-management in diverse populations. These various digital interventions show promise in reducing pharmaceutical usage and deferring surgical procedures, with most studies reporting positive outcomes in pain reduction. DHIs were also associated with positive mental health outcomes; however, some studies found no significant improvement. Additionally, interventions targeting pain catastrophizing showed varied results, with some app-based approaches demonstrating promise. Overall, the review underscores the potential of DHIs in improving chronic pain management outcomes.

Keywords: digital health technology; digital therapeutics; mobile health technology; pain assessment; remote healthcare; wearable devices; wearable technology.