Home›Psychiatry› Digital psychological interventions modestly improve pain and anxiety in adolescents with chronic pain and comorbid anxiety or depression
Digital psychological interventions modestly improve pain and anxiety in adolescents with chronic pain and comorbid anxiety or depressionDigital Psychological Interventions Help Adolescents Manage Chronic Pain and Anxiety
Journal of adolescencePublished October 8, 2026Study authors: Li Ziqian, Chen Wanyue, Yuan Tongshuang, Zheng Chengbin, Liu Kai, Huang Zhongqiong, Liang Xu, Gao Xu…PubMed ↗DOI ↗Editorial oversight: Dr. Ji-eun Park, MD · Brain, Mind & Pain
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Key Takeaway
Interpret small pain and anxiety gains cautiously; depression did not improve significantly.
This meta-analysis examined digital psychological interventions, including Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT), self-management, and Internet-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (iACT), for adolescents with chronic pain and comorbid anxiety and/or depression. The analysis included 1403 participants across studies.
Pooled results showed statistically significant improvements in pain (SMD = -0.21; 95% CI: [-0.35, -0.06]) and anxiety (SMD = -0.15; 95% CI: [-0.21, -0.10]). The effect sizes were small. Depression outcomes were not statistically significant, and no effect size was reported for that outcome.
Safety data, including adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, and tolerability, were not reported. Follow-up duration was not reported. The authors did not report limitations, funding, or conflicts of interest. The certainty of evidence was not reported.
The findings suggest that digital interventions may have a role in managing pain and anxiety among adolescents with these comorbidities, but the small effect sizes and lack of safety and follow-up data warrant cautious interpretation. The non-significant depression result should be noted.
How this fits prior evidence
This meta-analysis extends prior coverage of digital mental health interventions, which has shown that clinician-supported digital services significantly improve anxiety and depression symptoms in Australian consumers. The current findings are consistent in direction for anxiety but show smaller effects and do not replicate the depression benefit. It also contrasts with prior coverage noting that social prescribing may improve loneliness and quality of life in older adults with anxiety and depression, though high-quality trial data is limited. The adolescent chronic pain population and the specific focus on pain as a primary outcome address a gap not covered in previous items.
A review of data from 1,403 participants looked at how digital psychological interventions affect adolescents. These programs include internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy, self-management tools, and acceptance and commitment therapy. The study focused on teenagers who experience chronic pain along with anxiety or depression.
The results showed that these digital programs significantly improved pain levels and reduced anxiety symptoms among the participants. However, the study did not find a statistically significant change in depression levels. Because the results for depression were not significant, the impact of these tools on mood may be less clear.
These findings suggest that digital tools could be a helpful way to manage pain and anxiety for young people. While these programs offer a convenient way to access care, they are not a replacement for professional medical advice. You should talk to a healthcare provider to see if these specific digital tools are right for a teenager's unique needs.
What this means for you:
Digital psychological tools may help adolescents manage chronic pain and anxiety, but results for depression were unclear.
Common questions
What kind of digital programs were studied?
The study looked at several types of digital psychological interventions. These included internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT), self-management programs, and internet-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (iACT). These tools are designed to help people manage their symptoms through digital platforms.
Can these digital tools help with depression?
While the digital interventions showed significant improvements for pain and anxiety, the results for depression were not statistically significant. This means the study did not find a clear link between these specific digital tools and a reduction in depressive symptoms for the adolescents involved.
Who specifically can benefit from these digital interventions?
The study specifically looked at adolescents who suffer from chronic pain and also have co-occurring symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. The findings suggest these digital tools may be particularly helpful for this specific group of young people managing multiple conditions.
BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a high-risk period for co-occurring conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. Although digital psychological interventions offer a scalable and accessible alternative to traditional care, their comprehensive efficacy in addressing these interconnected symptoms remains underexplored. This meta-analysis evaluates the effects of digital interventions on pain in adolescents with comorbid emotional problems, with secondary outcomes including anxiety and depressive symptoms.
METHODS: We systematically searched five databases for randomized controlled trials through October 5, 2025, ultimately including 12 studies. Statistical analyses were performed in Review Manager 5.4 and Stata 17.0 using a random-effects model and specifically focused on adolescents with comorbid conditions. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on intervention type (Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy [iCBT], self-management, and Internet-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy [iACT]).
RESULTS: A total of 12 studies involving 1403 adolescents were included. Meta-analysis indicated that digital interventions significantly improved pain (SMD = -0.21, 95% CI: [-0.35, -0.06]) and anxiety (SMD = -0.15, 95% CI: [-0.21, -0.10]). The effects of digital psychosocial interventions on depression were not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION: Digital interventions show potential in managing pain and anxiety among adolescents with comorbidities. Future efforts should prioritize integrated intervention programs that combine pain management with emotion regulation, establishing them as foundational components within the broader care system to complement routine clinical practice.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: This systematic review was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD420251270961) on 12 December 2025.
REGISTRATION DETAILS: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251270961.
