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Review
. 2023 Sep 1;85(7):612-618.
doi: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000001200. Epub 2023 Apr 3.

Mapping the Design Space of Technology-Based Solutions for Better Chronic Pain Care: Introducing the Pain Tech Landscape

Mary R Janevic  1 , Elizabeth Murnane, Roger B Fillingim, Robert D Kerns, M Cary Reid
Affiliations
Review

Mapping the Design Space of Technology-Based Solutions for Better Chronic Pain Care: Introducing the Pain Tech Landscape

Mary R Janevic et al. Psychosom Med. .

Abstract

Objectives: Technology has substantial potential to transform and extend care for persons with chronic pain, a burdensome and costly condition. To catalyze the development of impactful applications of technology in this space, we developed the Pain Tech Landscape (PTL) model, which integrates pain care needs with characteristics of technological solutions.

Methods: Our interdisciplinary group representing experts in pain and human factors research developed PTL through iterative discussions. To demonstrate one potential use of the model, we apply data generated from a narrative review of selected pain and technology journals (2000-2020) in the form of heat map overlays, to reveal where pain tech research attention has focused to date.

Results: The PTL comprises three two-dimensional planes, with pain care needs on each x axis (measurement to management) and technology applications on the y axes according to a) user agency (user- to system-driven), b) usage time frame (temporary to lifelong), and c) collaboration (single-user to collaborative). Heat maps show that existing applications reside primarily in the "user-driven/management" quadrant (e.g., self-care apps). Examples of less developed areas include artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (i.e., Internet-linked household objects), and collaborative/social tools for pain management.

Conclusions: Collaborative development between the pain and tech fields in early developmental stages using the PTL as a common language could yield impactful solutions for chronic pain management. The PTL could also be used to track developments in the field over time. We encourage periodic reassessment and refinement of the PTL model, which can also be adapted to other chronic conditions.

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Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
A graphical representation of the Pain Tech Landscape (PTL) model, which aims to bridge pain and tech disciplines by characterizing key activities and stages of pain management in terms of design dimensions, functional requirements, and use cases that tech-based applications can support.
Figure 2:
Figure 2:
Heatmap depictions of the areas where the literature on pain tech has focused more (red) or less (purple) attention over the last 20 years.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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