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. 2023 Feb 2;11:e40844. doi: 10.2196/40844

Table 5.

Overall RoBa assessment, study outcomes, and main results (studies 12-22).

Study CPb condition Study outcomes (measurement tools) RoB Outcome resultsc
Primary Secondary
Pain intensity QoLd Functional disability
Forbes et al [44] CPPe

  • Pain-related disability (Chronic Pain Grade-Disability subscale)

  • QoL (RAND 36)

  • Pain acceptance (chronic pain acceptance questionnaire [CPAQ])

  • Depression and anxiety (HAD)

  • Self-efficacy (Pain Self-efficacy Quest.)

  • Sexual health (sexual health outcomes in women questionnaire [SHOW-Q])

  • Mindfulness (Cognitive and mindfulness-revised scale)

  • Individualized outcome (Measure yourself medical outcome profile [MYMOP])

  • Study feasibility (CPAQ)

  • App usability (System Usability Scale [SUS])

  • Adherence to the app (frequency of app use)

 X N/Af = =
Gohir et al [45] Knee OAg

  • Pain intensity (NRSh)

  • Physical functioning (WOMACi, Timed Up & Go [TUG], and 30-second sit-to-stand test)

  • QoL (Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire [MSK-HQ])

  • Symptoms sensory (pressure pain threshold [PPT])

 – * = *
Hunt et al [46] IBSj

  • QoL (Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life [IBS-QOL])

  • Symptom severity (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale-IBS [GSRS-IBS])

  • Diagnostic criteria for IBS (Rome IV)

  • Fear of food (Fear of Food Questionnaire [FFQ])

  • Gastrointestinal (GI) symptom–specific anxiety (Visceral Sensitivity Index [VSI])

  • Cognitions-related impact (Gastrointestinal Cognition Questionnaire [GI-COG])

  • Depression and anxiety (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale [DASS])

  • Diagnosis and depressive symptom severity (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ])

  • Dose (number of app modules completed)

 – N/A * N/A
Irvine et al [47] CLBPk Physical outcomes:

  • Pain intensity, episodes, and duration (back pain scales)

  • Daily pain management activities

  • Functionality (10-item scale based on Multidimensional Pain Inventory Interference Scale [MPI] and Brief Pain Inventory [BPI])

  • QoL (Dartmouth Primary Care Cooperative Information Project [Dartmouth CO-OP] scale)

 Prevention-helping behaviors
Worksite outcomes:

  • Worker productivity (4-item Work Limitations Questionnaire [WLQ])

  • Presenteeism (Stanford Presenteeism Scale)

Other outcomes:

  • Responsibility of own health (Patient Activation Measure [PAM])

  • Behavior constructs (knowledge, behavioral intentions, and self-efficacy)

  • Attitudes toward pain (10-item Survey of Pain Attitudes [SOPA])

  • Catastrophizing of pain (Tampa scale)

 – N/A * *
Lee et al [48] FMl

  • Pain intensity (VASm)

  • QoL (EuroQoL-5D)

  • Disease impact (FIQn)

  • Depression index (Beck’s Depression Index [BDI])

  • Patient global assessment (patient global assessment [PtGA])

 X * = =
Lee et al [49] CNPo

  • Pain intensity (VAS)

  • Functional disability (NDIp)

  • QoL (SF-36q)

  • Maximal voluntary strength (digital handheld dynamometer)

  • Fear avoidance belief (Fear-Avoidance Belief Questionnaire [FABQ])

  • Exercise adherence (app)

 – * = *
Lee et al [50] IC/BPSr

  • QoL (SF-36)

  • Pain intensity (VAS)

  • Symptoms (O´Leary-Sant symptom)

  • Physical function, role physical, bodily pain, vitality, social function, role emotional and mental health (SF-36 subscales)

 X * = =
Abadiyan et al [51] CNP

  • Pain intensity (VAS)

  • Disability (NDI)

  • QoL (SF-36)

  • Endurance (progressive isoinertial lifting evaluation [PILE] test)

  • Forward head posture (craniovertebral angle)

 + * * *
Amorim et al [52] CLBP

  • Pain intensity (NRS)

  • Disability (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire [RMDQ])

  • Care seeking (health care consultations)

  • Self-reported PAs level (International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ])

  • PA data (accelerometer)

 + = N/A =
Chhabra et al [53] CLBP

  • Pain intensity (numeric pain rating scales [NPRS])

  • Disability (Modified Oswestry Disability Index [MODI])

 Only for GI:

  • Daily PA (activity tracker built within the app)

  • Progress in symptoms (Current Symptom Score [CSS])

 + = N/A *
Pach et al [54] CNP

  • Pain intensity during first 3 months (NRS)

  • Pain intensity, weekly and during the 6 months (NRS)

  • Pain acceptance (CPAQ)

  • Neck pain–related stress

  • Sick leave days

  • Pain medication intake

  • Adherence

 + = N/A N/A

aRoB: risk of bias; interpretation of RoB: +, low RoB; –, some concerns; X, high RoB.

bCP: chronic pain.

cInterpretation of outcome results: *, significant differences (P<.05) in favor of the mHealth group; =, nonsignificant differences between groups.

dQoL: quality of life.

eCPP: chronic pelvic pain.

fN/A: not applicable.

gOA: osteoarthritis.

hNRS: numeric rating scale.

iWOMAC: Western Ontario and McMaster.

jIBS: irritable bowel syndrome.

kCLBP: chronic low back pain.

lFM: fibromyalgia.

mVAS: visual analogue scale.

nFIQ: Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire.

oCNP: chronic neck pain.

pNDI: Neck Disability Index.

qSF-36: 36-item Short-Form Health Survey.

rIC/BPS: interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

sPA: physical activity.