Evidence mapPaperPMID 41501835Full record

ArticleSystematic reviews2026

Efficacy of digital health technologies in patients with chronic pain: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Xi Chen, Xuyi Zhang, Junyan Chen, Qin Lin, Jijun Wu, Ling Li, Minmin Jiang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Systematic reviews, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Xi Chen *Shulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310015, China.ORCID 0009-0008-1019-9726
Xuyi Zhang *Shulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310015, China.
Junyan Chen *Shulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310015, China.
Qin LinShulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310015, China. hopeqinlin@gmail.com.
Jijun WuNursing Department, People's Hospital of Deyang, Deyang, 618099, China. tianmin6560@163.com.
Ling LiShulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310015, China. pingwan999@yeah.net.
Minmin JiangShulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310015, China. huangwei198403@163.com.

Funding

Zhejiang Shuren University No. 2024A21004
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChronic pain is a prevalent condition that severely impacts patients' quality of life and poses a substantial burden on global healthcare systems. Digital health technologies (DHTs) have emerged as a potential solution for chronic pain management by improving accessibility, self-management, and personalized care. However, existing studies report inconsistent results regarding the efficacy of these technologies, and no clear consensus has been reached on their clinical effectiveness and safety. Given the current uncertainty in the evidence, this study aims to comprehensively evaluate the therapeutic effects of digital health technologies in patients with chronic pain through a systematic review.

objectivesThis protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of digital health technologies in improving pain management, functional status, and mental health in patients with chronic pain.

methodsA systematic search will be conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Embase from inception to August 30, 2025. Individual randomized controlled trials (iRCTs) evaluating the efficacy of digital health interventions in patients with chronic pain will be included. The primary outcome is pain intensity, assessed using standardized tools such as the visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes include physical function, sleep quality, quality of life, and adverse events. Two researchers will independently perform study selection, data extraction, risk-of-bias assessment, and evidence quality evaluation. Data analysis will be conducted using RevMan 5.3 software. Meta-analysis will be performed if heterogeneity is low; otherwise, a qualitative synthesis will be provided. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first comprehensive systematic review evaluating digital health technologies for chronic pain management. The findings will provide evidence-based support for clinical practice and health policy formulation, promoting the standardized application of these technologies in pain management. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD420251061767.

Indexed as

Chronic PainPain ManagementDigital HealthHumansMeta-Analysis as TopicQuality of LifeSystematic Reviews as TopicTelemedicineChronic painDigital healthMeta-analysisMobile applicationsSystematic reviewTelemedicine

Identifiers

PMID41501835
PMCPMC12870110

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.