THE USE OF WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY IN A COMPREHENSIVE CHRONIC PAIN MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
prev
next
prev
next
Author(s)
Author(s)
THE USE OF WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY IN A COMPREHENSIVE CHRONIC PAIN MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME Ines Banjari
Technology is increasingly being used to encourage physical activity and reduce sedentary lifestyles in the general population. While physical activity is critical to improving the quality of life of patients with chronic pain, opportunities to use technology to support physical activity in patients with chronic pain are still rare. At the same time, long-term goals for physical activity are largely dependent on the perception of pain, actual or expected exacerbation of pain, and lack of confidence when performing physical activity.
We aimed to determine whether wearable technology can improve management of chronic pain. Full protocol of this 8-week clinical trial is available in the Clinical Trials Registry (NCT 03837080). Patients with chronic pain enrolled in a 4-week interdisciplinary chronic pain management programme wore fitness bands during the 4-week programme (0-4 weeks) and follow-up (4-8 weeks). Fitness wristbands measured physical activity and sleep patterns. Additionally, anthropometric measurements and psychological condition of patients (by using Pain Catastrophizing Scale and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 Items questionnaires) was measured.
The number of steps and average time of activity per day increased, as well as deep sleep time per day but without reaching statistical significance. Significant improvements in waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-height ratio with longer deep sleep time were found.
No significant correlation was found between physical activity, sleep quality and psychological characteristics or catastrophizing. By wearing fitness wristbands, patients feel actively involved in their chronic pain management. In a clinical/research setting, wristbands provide better, continuous oversight of patient’s progress end enables tailoring of individualized strategies. However, the use of wristbands requires some level of IT knowledge, and sudden malfunctions of the wristband and/or the software can be expected. Additionally, some individual characteristics (i.e., demographics, psychosocial factors, lack of motivation) can also be obstacles to their use.
DOI: 10.56936/18290825-2023.17.46-53 THE NEW ARMENIAN MEDICAL JOURNAL Volume17 (2023), Issue 1 46-53
