Pubblicazioni

Autori:

De Lucia, Annalisa; Donisi, Valeria; Pasini, Ilenia; Polati, Enrico; Del Piccolo, Lidia; Schweiger, Vittorio; Perlini, Cinzia

Titolo:

Perspectives and Experiences on eHealth Solutions for Coping With Chronic Pain: Qualitative Study Among Older People Living With Chronic Pain

Anno:

2024

Tipologia prodotto:

Articolo in Rivista

Tipologia ANVUR:

Articolo su rivista

Lingua:

Inglese

Formato:

Elettronico

Referee:

Sì

Nome rivista:

JMIR AGING

ISSN Rivista:

2561-7605

N° Volume:

7

Numero o Fascicolo:

e57196

Intervallo pagine:

1-15

Parole chiave:

coping strategies; eHealth; mobile phone; older adults; pain; pain management; qualitative method

Breve descrizione dei contenuti:

Background: Chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) is a major health issue among the older population, affecting multiple aspects of individual functioning. Recently, the use of eHealth solutions has been proposed in supporting chronic pain self-management even among older adults, although some barriers have emerged. Few qualitative studies, with none conducted in Mediterranean countries, have explored older people's experiences and perceptions regarding the types of strategies used to cope with chronic pain and eHealth tools for chronic pain management. Objective: This study's objectives were to explore the perspectives and experiences of older adults regarding the coping strategies used to manage chronic pain, the use of digital technologies in everyday life, and the potentiality and barriers in using those technologies for health and pain management. Methods: A multimethod approach (ie, self-report questionnaires and a semistructured interview) has been adopted targeting older adults (ie, those who are aged 65 to 80 years and presenting different types of CNCP) who are attending a pain therapy center in Italy. Qualitative answers were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Overall, participants reported using a variety of pain coping strategies; however, they showed an attitude of resignation to their CNCP condition. Nearly 70% (12/18) of the interviewees referred to using digital technologies for purposes related to health and pain management, mostly involving very basic management activities. The participants' opinions on the useful functions that need to be incorporated in eHealth tools for chronic pain management have been categorized into four themes: (1) specific pain self-management skills, (2) support in organizing various health-related aspects, (3) sharing experiences with others, and (4) increasing pain-related personal knowledge. Conversely, the following potential barriers to adopting eHealth tools emerged: (1) computer illiteracy, (2) negative effects or risks, (3) impersonal interaction, and (4) physical limitations. Conclusions: The use of eHealth solutions still seems low, often being accompanied by a perceived lack of digital skills or attitude among a sample of older adults from Italy with CNCP. Before introducing innovative eHealth solutions, it would be of primary importance to take action to enhance, on the one hand, self-efficacy in pain management and, on the other, the digital literacy level among older people.

Pagina Web:

https://doi.org/10.2196/57196

Id prodotto:

141505

Handle IRIS:

11562/1140466

ultima modifica:

6 ottobre 2024

Citazione bibliografica:

De Lucia, Annalisa; Donisi, Valeria; Pasini, Ilenia; Polati, Enrico; Del Piccolo, Lidia; Schweiger, Vittorio; Perlini, Cinzia, Perspectives and Experiences on eHealth Solutions for Coping With Chronic Pain: Qualitative Study Among Older People Living With Chronic Pain «JMIR AGING» , vol. 7 , n. e57196 , 2024 , pp. 1-15

Consulta la scheda completa presente nel repository istituzionale della Ricerca di Ateneo