Effect of a mobile-based resilience training program on resilience and well-being outcomes in individuals with chronic pain

Considering the limited resilience demonstrated by individuals suffering from chronic pain, this study aimed to explore how a mobile app designed to enhance resilience against pain affects the resilience, psychological and social well-being of individuals with chronic pain. In this three-arm randomized trial, 108 individuals with chronic pain were randomly allocated to three groups. Due to the nature of the intervention, participant blinding was not achievable. However, both the assessor and the statistician remained blinded. The control group A received standard care, while the control group B participated in a familiarization program addressing chronic pain and its influencing factors. The participants in the intervention group utilized the “resilience against chronic pain” application for eight weeks. Resilience was assessed as the primary outcome, and psychological and social well-being were evaluated as the secondary outcomes, at baseline, immediately after, and 3 months post-intervention. Linear mixed effects models with random intercept showed significant group × time interactions for resilience, psychological well-being, and social well-being. Baseline scores did not differ significantly between groups. The intervention group demonstrated a large improvement in resilience immediately after the intervention (β = 23.345, %95 CI [15.957–30.732], p < 0.001), with significantly higher scores than both control groups; these effects remained significant at 3 months post intervention (β = 13.445, 95%CI [5.997–20.892], (p < 0.001). Similar patterns were observed for psychological well-being, with significant improvements immediately after (β = 19.286, %95 CI [14.222–24.350], p < 0.001) and sustained effects at 3 months post intervention (β = 13.267, %95 CI [8.163–18.372], p < 0.001). Social well-being also showed significant intervention effects immediately after (β = 15.969, %95 CI [9.624–22.315] and at 3 months post intervention (β = 11.851, %95 CI [5.454–18.247), with the intervention group outperforming both control groups (all p < 0.001). Overall, the intervention produced substantial and sustained improvements across all outcomes compared with both control conditions. Given the widespread availability of mobile phones and their convenience for use anytime and anywhere, we recommend that healthcare providers specializing in chronic pain management incorporate virtual training programs into their practice.