A Pilot Comparison of a Smartphone App With or Without 2-Way Messaging Among Chronic Pain Patients: Who Benefits From a Pain App?

Objectives: The overall aim of this study was to determine the effect of introducing a smartphone pain application (app), for both Android and iPhone devices that enables chronic pain patients to assess, monitor, and communicate their status to their providers.

Methods: This study recruited 105 chronic pain patients to use a smartphone pain app and half of the patients (N=52) had 2-way messaging available through the app. All patients completed baseline measures and were asked to record their progress every day for 3 months, with the opportunity to continue for 6 months.

Attitudes of Primary Care Practitioners in Managing Chronic Pain Patients Prescribed Opioids for Pain: A Prospective Longitudinal Controlled Trial.

Objective: There is increasing concern among primary care practitioners (PCPs) regarding medication misuse and noncompliance among chronic pain patients prescribed opioids for pain. This study investigated the benefits of interventions designed to track potential opioid misuse and to improve practitioner confidence in managing patients with chronic pain through the use of risk assessment, monthly monitoring of compliance, and specialty support.

Methods: Fifty-six PCPs and 253 chronic pain patients were recruited into the study.