A systematic review of Brazilian online stores identified 36 mobile health apps for self-managing musculoskeletal pain, with quality scores ranging from poor to excellent and most focusing on exercises or education.
- Researchers found 36 Portuguese-language apps for managing musculoskeletal pain in Brazilian app stores
- App quality varied widely, with average scores of 3.87 out of 5 points
- Most apps focused on exercises (41.5%) or education (26.4%), but many lacked complete assessment features
How this compares to prior research
Musculoskeletal pain affects 21% to 76% of people in Brazil and represents a common, disabling condition with significant social and economic impacts. Mobile health applications have emerged as potential tools to aid treatment, but their quality and safety needed systematic evaluation. Before this review, the landscape of Portuguese-language apps specifically designed for musculoskeletal pain self-management in Brazilian markets had not been comprehensively mapped or assessed.
Musculoskeletal disorder prevalence, global population, 1990–1999
Key findings
- Of 12,639 apps screened, only 36 met criteria for musculoskeletal pain self-management in Portuguese
- Quality scores ranged from 2.75 to 4.39 points on the Mobile Health App Rating Scale, with a mean of 3.87
- Exercise-based apps were most common at 41.5%, followed by education apps at 26.4% and symptom tracking at 15.1%
What this means in practice
- Ask your healthcare provider before relying solely on apps for managing chronic musculoskeletal pain
- Look for apps with higher quality ratings if choosing to supplement your pain management plan
- Consider that most available apps focus on exercises rather than comprehensive pain tracking or assessment
Frequently asked questions
Are mobile apps effective for managing musculoskeletal pain?
The study assessed app quality but not effectiveness. Researchers noted that further studies are needed to evaluate whether these apps actually work for pain management.
What features do most musculoskeletal pain apps offer?
Most apps focus on exercises (41.5%) or education and counseling (26.4%). Fewer offer symptom tracking (15.1%) or self-massage guidance (1.9%).
Should I use these apps instead of seeing a doctor?
The researchers caution that even high-scoring apps may not provide all necessary resources for proper assessment and follow-up of musculoskeletal pain conditions.
Key terms explained
Musculoskeletal pain
Pain affecting muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and nerves throughout the body
Mobile Health App Rating Scale (MARS)
A standardized tool that evaluates the quality of health apps across multiple dimensions
Self-management
Actions individuals take to monitor and control their own health condition without direct medical supervision
Source: Mobile health applications for the self-management of musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review of online stores in Brazil. · DOI: doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.11.021