Digital Interventions for Improving Pain Among Individuals With and Without Opioid Use Disorder and Reducing Medical and Non-medical Opioid Use: a Scoping Review of the Current Science

Both chronic pain and opioid use disorder (OUD) are highly prevalent. Emerging technologies may improve pain- and opioid-related outcomes. This scoping review synthesized current evidence on digital interventions for acute and chronic pain in patients with and without OUD and the impact on pain- and opioid-related outcomes.

Screening of 403 abstracts yielded 18 studies that were evaluated for eligibility. Of the 18 studies that met review criteria, 14 were randomized-controlled trials (RCTs). Sixteen studies showed positive intervention effects in improving pain and/or medical opioid use outcomes. Internet/app-based interventions yielded slightly more positive results than VR interventions for reducing both pain and medical opioid use and misuse behaviors; engagement in some internet/app-based interventions was limited. Few studies examined pain among OUD populations; no studies evaluated the effects on non-medical opioid use.

Digital interventions, particularly internet/app-based strategies, may be feasible and beneficial approaches for improving pain in those with and without OUD and reducing medical opioid use and/or misuse behaviors. Factors influencing intervention engagement require further study. Larger scale RCTs with heterogenous populations may improve the evaluation of intervention efficacy and generalizability.