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Transforming Chronic Pain Care Through Telemedicine: An Italian Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco Amato

    (UOC Terapia del Dolore e Cure Palliative Presidio Ospedaliero “Mariano Santo”, Contrada Muoio Piccolo snc, 87100 Cosenza, Italy)

  • Maria Carmela Monaco

    (UOC Terapia del Dolore e Cure Palliative Presidio Ospedaliero “Mariano Santo”, Contrada Muoio Piccolo snc, 87100 Cosenza, Italy)

  • Silvia Ceniti

    (UOC Terapia del Dolore e Cure Palliative Presidio Ospedaliero “Mariano Santo”, Contrada Muoio Piccolo snc, 87100 Cosenza, Italy)

Abstract

Chronic pain (CP) is a complex and debilitating condition that significantly impairs quality of life and imposes a high burden on healthcare systems. This study aims to evaluate the impact of telemedicine on chronic pain management in cancer survivors with complex CP. Our multicenter retrospective investigation of cancer survivors with complex CP included 100 patients (median age 65 years, 62% female). Pain, disability, and self-perceived health status were assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the EuroQolfive-dimension five-level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire. The most common diagnoses were neuropathic pain (54%) and complex chronic pain (32%). Significant clinical improvements were observed after six months of telemedicine intervention (all p < 0.001). NRS scores improved by more than four points in 77% of patients, BPI Worst Pain Scores decreased by four points in 52% and by five points in 28% of patients. All patients’ disability levels improved from severe (median ODI score of 52) to moderate (median ODI score of 30). Self-perceived health status improved from 40 to 60 on the EQ-5D-5L scale. Telemedicine interventions significantly reduced pain intensity, decreased disability levels, and enhanced quality of life in chronic pain patients. These findings underscore the transformative potential of telemedicine in chronic pain management and support its broader integration into medical practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Amato & Maria Carmela Monaco & Silvia Ceniti, 2024. "Transforming Chronic Pain Care Through Telemedicine: An Italian Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(12), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:12:p:1626-:d:1537519
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Carlos Suso-Ribera & Diana Castilla & Irene Zaragozá & Ángela Mesas & Anna Server & Javier Medel & Azucena García-Palacios, 2020. "Telemonitoring in Chronic Pain Management Using Smartphone Apps: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Usual Assessment against App-Based Monitoring with and without Clinical Alarms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-23, September.
    2. Peter Krkoska & Daniela Vlazna & Michaela Sladeckova & Jitka Minarikova & Tamara Barusova & Ladislav Batalik & Filip Dosbaba & Stanislav Vohanka & Blanka Adamova, 2023. "Adherence and Effect of Home-Based Rehabilitation with Telemonitoring Support in Patients with Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-14, January.
    3. Marco Cascella & Franco Marinangeli & Alessandro Vittori & Cristina Scala & Massimo Piccinini & Alessandro Braga & Luca Miceli & Renato Vellucci, 2021. "Open Issues and Practical Suggestions for Telemedicine in Chronic Pain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-10, November.
    4. Nkiruka D Eze & Céu Mateus & Tiago Cravo Oliveira Hashiguchi, 2020. "Telemedicine in the OECD: An umbrella review of clinical and cost-effectiveness, patient experience and implementation," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(8), pages 1-24, August.
    5. Masahiro Yamaguchi & Keiko Yamada & Masako Iseki & Yusuke Karasawa & Yasuko Murakami & Tatsuya Enomoto & Nobuko Kikuchi & Satoko Chiba & Atsuko Hara & Keisuke Yamaguchi & Eiichi Inada, 2020. "Insomnia and caregiver burden in chronic pain patients: A cross-sectional clinical study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(4), pages 1-10, April.
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