Digital technologies to promote self-management in musculoskeletal health: a systematic review

Sammut, L; Arafin, N; Prior, Yeliz

Abstract

Background: With the emergence of musculoskeletal conditions as a major threat to health status and one of the largest causes of health care expenditures, the role of self-management strategies has emerged. Digital media as a platform for self management interventions in musculoskeletal health is a new and evolving landscape in health care.

Objectives: To review the published evidence to support the self-management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions through digital technologies.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Global Health, The Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Cochrane Methodology Register), and Web of Science (science and social science citation index) were searched and the papers selected were screened by two independent reviewers. Methodological validity prior to inclusion was assessed using the appropriate critical appraisal tools developed by the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP).

Results: Database searches identified 5179 studies. Five randomised controlled trials assessing digital media in the self management of musculoskeletal diseases were selected. The participants in the studies were predominately females with a mean age of 50. The mean number of participants in the studies was 140.8 (range 92–228). Two studies targeted self management strategies for patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis [1, 2]. One study included fibromyalgia patients [3] and the two other studies included patients that reported arthritis pain [4] or general non cancer related pain [5]. A robust and meaningful comparison between the studies was infeasible because of heterogeneity between studies and small sample size in the studies. Positive effects of self-management were demonstrated in arthritis self-efficacy, pain, physical functioning, opioid misuse and overall quality of life.

Conclusions: All studies showed an improvement in a number of different self-management outcomes. Digital media may be effective in the delivery of self-management programmes of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions. Further research is necessary to increase the scope of these findings using rigorous study designs so we can harness the full potential of digital technologies as a medium for delivering self-management interventions.

Citation

Sammut, L., Arafin, N., & Prior, Y. (2018). Digital technologies to promote self-management in musculoskeletal health: a systematic review. https://doi.org/10.1136/ANNRHEUMDIS-2018-EULAR.7542

• Journal Article Type: Extended Abstract
• Conference Name: EULAR Annual Meeting
• Conference Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Publication Date: Jun 15, 2018
• Deposit Date: Jun 30, 2023
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/ANNRHEUMDIS-2018-EULAR.7542
• Publisher URL: https://ard.bmj.com/content/77/Suppl_2/837.1.info