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Mobile App Use among Chronic Pain Patients - A Gamified Approach

Authors:
Anabela Marques
Duarte Duque

Keywords: chronic pain; fibromyalgia syndrome; mobile app; gamification.

Abstract:
Chronic pain, which affects more than 30% of adults in Portugal, requires a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach. To stabilize or minimize the patient's pain, it is essential that patients comply with the prescribed treatments, not only pharmacological but also regarding physical activity. The assessment of the patient's condition, regarding the level of pain and their general physical condition, when carried out only in a consultation context, is not always reliably expressed by the patient. This study explores the potential of a mobile application in chronic pain management, with a focus on fibromyalgia. FisioQuest uses gamification to increase patient engagement and treatment adherence, including continuous symptom monitoring, physical exercise and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This application is based on preliminary studies that have shown significant improvements in pain severity, anxiety and depression among fibromyalgia patients who use mobile applications. This article details the requirements, specifications and use cases of the FisioQuest app, highlighting its potential benefits and future directions. It is hoped that, when validated, the FisioQuest app can offer an effective tool for improving patients' self-management and quality of life in the treatment of chronic pain.

Pages: 32 to 36

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2024

Publication date: November 3, 2024

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2519-8491

ISBN: 978-1-68558-204-3

Location: Nice, France

Dates: from November 3, 2024 to November 7, 2024