Exploring the potential of e-Health-based multimodal interventions for the management of chronic non-cancer pain in older adults

Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP), a subtype of chronic pain (CP), is one of the most prevalent and disabling health issues among older adults, affecting their physical, psychological, and social well-being. Although international clinical guidelines and scientific evidence recommend adopting a multimodal biopsychosocial approach to CNCP management, access to effective and integrated interventions (i.e., combining components from different disciplines) remains limited, particularly among older individuals. In this context, digital health solutions (here indicated with the umbrella term “eHealth”) offer new opportunities to overcome existing barriers and promote more accessible, personalized, and continuous care. The present doctoral thesis explores and deepens the potential and challenges of multimodal eHealth-based interventions for CNCP management in older adults through three complementary research lines: (1) a scoping review of existing evidence regarding integrated (i.e., including both physical and psychosocial components) eHealth-based interventions targeting older people; (2) a qualitative study investigating coping strategies, perspectives, and experiences of older adults with CNCP concerning the use of digital technologies for health- related purposes; and (3) a systematic scoping review protocol on sleep measurement tools adopted in people with osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis – common conditions in the older population - with a focus on sleep as a key, but often overlooked, dimension of pain. By clarifying how sleep is currently conceptualised and measured in these conditions, this work may provide insight relevant to the inclusion of sleep assessment within future eHealth-based pain management approaches. Overall, the findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how eHealth can support integrated care models for CNCP in the older population, taking into account the multidimensional nature of pain and the complexity that its treatments entail in this specific age group.