Longitudinal trial of a smartphone pain application for chronic pain patients: Predictors of compliance and satisfaction

Introduction This study was designed to determine the feasibility, tolerability, safety and efficacy of a smartphone pain application (app) among chronic pain patients over a six-month trial. The app was designed for both Android and iPhone devices and enabled users with chronic pain to assess, monitor, and communicate their status to their providers. Methods We recruited 90 chronic pain patients to use the pain app. All subjects completed baseline measures and were asked to record their progress every day. All participants were supplied an activity monitor. Results Average age of the participants was 46.7 years (range 18–79), 64.4% were female and 31.1% reported multiple pain sites. Satisfaction was rated at three and six months. The app was found to be easily introduced and well tolerated. In general, those who used the app more often were more satisfied with the program ( p < 0.05), although satisfaction ratings of the pain app diminished with time. Greater use of the app and frequent daily assessment entries were found to be related to an overall improvement in mood. However, contrary to our hypotheses, frequent use of the app did not have a positive effect on pain or activity. Those who were more satisfied with the app reported more pain-related disability and were less active than those who were less satisfied with the app. No safety issues were encountered. Discussion Strategies to make the program more engaging and to improve motivation to use the app would be important in the future development and use of a smartphone pain app.

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Mandatory pharmacist-led education session for patients seeking medical cannabis

Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.18549/pharmpract.2020.4.2088 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 2088

Author(s):

Vikas Parihar ◽

Laura Katz ◽

Mahmoud A. Siyam ◽

Anna Rogers ◽

Lisa Patterson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Pain ◽

Perceived Benefits ◽

Medical Cannabis ◽

Education Session ◽

Chi Square ◽

Mandatory Education ◽

Chronic Pain Patients ◽

The Future ◽

The Impact ◽

Pain Patients

Objective: The primary objectives of this pre-post session study, was to evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-led education session on the perceived benefits and safety of cannabis among patients with chronic pain, as well as determine the influence of pharmacist education on the selection of safer cannabis products and dosage forms for medical use among patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of completed pre-post session questionnaires was conducted among chronic pain patients attending a mandatory education session led by a pharmacist, prior to being authorized cannabis in clinic. All questionnaire data was analyzed using SPSS v. 25. Demographic and sample characteristics were reviewed using univariate analyses. Chi-Square tests were employed to determine if the group-based education significantly affected knowledge, perception of efficacy and safety of cannabis. Results: Of the 260 session participants, 203 completed pre-post session questionnaires. After the session, a majority of current cannabis users (33.8%) and cannabis naïve/past users (56.9%) reported they would use a low THC product in the future, and a majority of current users (54.5%) would use a high CBD product in the future. After education, participants were more likely to report cannabis as having the potential for addiction (chi-square =42.6, p <0.0001) and harm (chi-square =34.0, p <0.0001). Conclusions: Pharmacist counselling and education has the potential to influence patient selection and use of cannabis, from more harmful to safer products, as well as moderate the potential perceived benefits of use.

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Age-Dependent Opioid Escalation in Chronic Pain Patients

Yearbook of Anesthesiology and Pain Management ◽

10.1016/s1073-5437(08)70477-7 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 2006 ◽

pp. 233

Author(s):

S.E. Abram

Keyword(s):

Chronic Pain ◽

Chronic Pain Patients ◽

Age Dependent ◽

Pain Patients

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Pain Influences Several Levels of Attention

Zeitschrift für Neuropsychologie ◽

10.1024/1016-264x.16.4.235 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 235-242 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Astrid von Bueren Jarchow ◽

Bogdan P. Radanov ◽

Lutz Jäncke

Keyword(s):

Chronic Pain ◽

Divided Attention ◽

Covert Attention ◽

Attention Task ◽

Attentional Deficits ◽

Control Subjects ◽

Chronic Pain Patients ◽

Divided Attention Task ◽

Pain Stimuli ◽

Pain Patients

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine to what extent chronic pain has an impact on various attentional processes. To measure these attention processes a set of experimental standard tests of the “Testbatterie zur Aufmerksamkeitsprüfung” (TAP), a neuropsychological battery testing different levels of attention, were used: alertness, divided attention, covert attention, vigilance, visual search, and Go-NoGo tasks. 24 chronic outpatients and 24 well-matched healthy control subjects were tested. The control subjects were matched for age, gender, and education. The group of chronic pain patients exhibited marked deficiencies in all attentional functions except for the divided attention task. Thus, the data supports the notion that chronic pain negatively influences attention because pain patients` attention is strongly captivated by the internal pain stimuli. Only the more demanding divided attention task has the capability to distract the focus of attention to the pain stimuli. Therefore, the pain patients are capable of performing within normal limits. Based on these findings chronic pain patients' attentional deficits should be appropriately evaluated and considered for insurance and work related matters. The effect of a successful distraction away from the pain in the divided attention task can also open new therapeutic aspects.

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