Cost savings and quality-of-life gains associated with the use of an AI-powered digital tool for self-management of chronic pain based on a multicenter cohort study
Olofsson S, Rosén Klement M L, Barreveld A M, Mehta N, Persson U, Borrebaeck C A K
Background
Chronic pain is a highly prevalent disease, leading to high health care costs, impaired productivity, and decreased quality of life. An artificial intelligence (AI)–powered digital tool for self-management (PaindrainerTM) has been shown to be an effective treatment in chronic pain and could have potential to reduce the burden on costs and quality of life.
Objective
The objective of this study was to estimate the cost savings and quality-of-life gains associated with the use of an AI-powered digital tool for self-management of chronic pain. The study is a subsequent health economic analysis of previously published data.
Method
Resource use and quality-of-life data were derived from a 1-arm, multicenter study in the United States. Differences between baseline and follow-up (6 and 12 weeks) were translated to an annual monetary estimate by using published literature, national statistics, and accepted threshold values for a quality-adjusted life year (QALY).
Result
At 12 weeks, the use of an AI-powered digital tool was associated with a reduction in health care costs of $127 per user and an increase in annual productivity of $930 per user. In addition, the intervention was associated with an increase in health of 0.0275 QALYs, corresponding to a monetized value of $1375.
Conclusion
The analysis of cost savings and quality-of-life gains associated with the use of an AI-powered digital tool for pain self-management demonstrates significant potential improvements in measured parameters of up to $2432 per person in total ($7380 per year, assuming 70% compliance), supporting this as an important treatment alternative.
Previously published IHE report:
For more information, please contact Sara Olofsson
Pain Medicine, 2026;, pnag061, https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnag061
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnag061
Cite: Olofsson S, Rosén Klement M L, Barreveld A M, Mehta N, Persson U, Borrebaeck C A K. Cost savings and quality-of-life gains associated with the use of an AI-powered digital tool for self-management of chronic pain based on a multicenter cohort study, Pain Medicine, 2026;, pnag061, https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnag061
