Retention, adherence, and acceptability testing of a digital health intervention in a 3-group randomized controlled trial for chronic musculoskeletal pain

• Published in: Complementary therapies in medicine 2024-05, Vol.81, p.103030-103030, Article 103030
• Main Authors: Kawi, Jennifer, Yeh, Chao Hsing, Grant, Lauren, Huang, Xinran, Wu, Hulin, Hua, Chunyan, Christo, Paul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acceptability; Acupressure; Acupuncture; Application, Mobile; Back pain; Brain research; Chronic pain; Clinical trials; Cytokines; Exchange, Health Information; Health care expenditures; Health promotion; Intervention; Pain; Retention; Telemedicine
• ISSN: 0965-2299; 1873-6963
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2024.103030

Evaluate a digital health intervention using Auricular Point Acupressure (APA) for chronic musculoskeletal pain in terms of participant retention, adherence, acceptability, and satisfaction. Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a global concern and there are persistent challenges in pain management. Despite the value of digital health interventions, these interventions need to be fully evaluated for feasibility. We conducted a 3-group, longitudinal, randomized controlled trial (RCT). After Institutional Review Board approval, we posted recruitment flyers in a university, healthcare clinics, and community settings. Participants were randomized into an in-person + app group (n = 8), virtual + app group (n = 7), and a wait-list, education-enhanced control group (n = 8), evaluating our outcomes using standard feasibility measures. The 4-week intervention consisted of virtual sessions, telecommunications, and our APA app, followed by a 3-month follow-up. Data from 22 participants were subsequently analyzed (95.7%). All app participants adhered to the study protocol and used APA at the minimum recommended frequency and duration. The virtual + app group used APA more during the intervention and follow-up periods. All app participants found the intervention to be acceptable and at least 80% overall were satisfied with APA at the 3-month follow-up. There were no adverse events reported. Our digital health intervention was found to be acceptable and sustainable; participants adhered to and were satisfied with the intervention providing support for a larger RCT. #: NCT05020470 •A digital health intervention featuring Auricular Point Acupressure was feasible.•The intervention included an app, virtual sessions, and telecommunications.•A 3-arm randomized controlled trial showed participants were satisfied.•Participants adhered to the intervention with minimal attrition.•Study findings provide support for a larger randomized controlled trial.