Do Pain Management Apps use Evidence-Based Psychological Components? A Systematic Review of App Content and Quality

Abstract

Background With hundreds of pain management apps on the Canadian marketplace, it can be challenging for patients and clinicians to select effective and evidence-based mobile health (mHealth) apps that address pain from a biopsychosocial perspective. Aims Identify pain management apps within the Canadian app marketplaces to aid clinicians in recommending apps. Methods The iOS and Android marketplaces were systematically searched to identify pain management apps that included at least one core component of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or mindfulness- and acceptance-based therapies. Selected apps were assessed using a researcher developed psychological components checklist, and the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). These two measures provided a robust assessment of the apps’ technical abilities and psychological principles being implemented. Results 508 pain management apps were identified, yet only 12 included a psychological component and were available for evaluation. On average, apps contained 8.10 out of 18 psychological components (SD = 2.77) with a MARS quality rating of 4.02 out of 5 (SD = .32). The most common psychological components were grounded in CBT, including psychoeducation, sleep hygiene, behavioural activation, coping skills training, and social support. Among the least commonly included components were goal setting, values and culture/diversity. Two-thirds of the apps involved health care practitioners in their development, but independent scientific review of apps was scarce. Conclusion The highest scoring apps (Curable, Pathways, Vivify) are highlighted for healthcare practitioners who may wish to recommend mHealth technologies to their patients for pain management. Future directions for research and app development are discussed.

Keywords

• smartphone
• telemedicine
• mobile applications
• chronic pain
• pain management
• psychosocial intervention