The Potential Role for Smartphones Among Older Adults with Chronic Noncancer Pain: A Qualitative Study

Overview

Journal Pain Med

Specialties Critical Care
Neurology
Psychiatry

Date 2017 Jan 22

PMID 28108642

Citations 5

Authors

Joshua E Richardson

Jennifer I Lee

Anita Nirenberg

M Carrington Reid

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the role that smartphones may play in supporting older adults with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) in order to improve pain management in this expanding population.

Design: Qualitative study.

Setting: One academically affiliated primary care practice serving older adults with CNCP in New York City.

Subjects: Thirteen older adults (age 65-85 years) with CNCP on chronic opioid therapy, that is, continuous use of opioids for at least six months.

Methods: One researcher conducted one-on-one telephone interviews with participants, and two researchers analyzed the transcribed data using descriptive analysis. A nurse and a physician researcher iteratively critiqued and approved the results.

Results: Participants provided opinions as to the effects that smartphones may have on medication management and communications with their providers. Smartphones can benefit older adults by supporting interactions with the health care system such as more effective scheduling and coordinating prescribing practices with local pharmacies. Participants expressed difficulties with isolation due to CNCP and posited that smartphones could provide a means for social support. Specifically, smartphones should support older adult needs to effectively communicate pain experiences with personal contacts and caregivers, as well as health care providers. Based on these results, we provide suggestions that can inform future smartphone interventions for older adults with CNCP.

Conclusion: Smartphones that focus on supporting medication management, enhancing communication with providers, and facilitating connectedness within social networks to reduce feelings of isolation may help to improve CNCP outcomes in older adults.

Citing Articles

Perspectives and Experiences on eHealth Solutions for Coping With Chronic Pain: Qualitative Study Among Older People Living With Chronic Pain.

De Lucia A, Donisi V, Pasini I, Polati E, Del Piccolo L, Schweiger V JMIR Aging. 2024; 7:e57196.

PMID: 39235831 PMC: 11413546. DOI: 10.2196/57196.

A mobile health + health coaching application for the management of chronic non-cancer pain in older adults: Results from a pilot randomized controlled study.

Kaul U, Scher C, Henderson Jr C, Kim P, Dyhrberg M, Rudin V Front Pain Res (Lausanne). 2022; 3:921428.

PMID: 35959237 PMC: 9362151. DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2022.921428.

Study on the Types of Elderly Intelligent Health Management Technology and the Influencing Factors of Its Adoption.

Chen Z, Qi H, Wang L Healthcare (Basel). 2021; 9(11).

PMID: 34828539 PMC: 8619684. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9111494.

Smartphone Applications Designed to Improve Older People's Chronic Pain Management: An Integrated Systematic Review.

Dunham M, Bonacaro A, Schofield P, Bacon L, Spyridonis F, Mehrpouya H Geriatrics (Basel). 2021; 6(2).

PMID: 33917697 PMC: 8167560. DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics6020040.

Developing mHealth Applications for Older Adults with Pain: Seek Out the Stakeholders!.

Kozlov E, Reid M Pain Med. 2018; 19(6):1107-1108.

PMID: 29767768 PMC: 6454793. DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny070.

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