An Online Gamified Pain Management Program for Adults With Chronic Pain: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Although digital interventions have been widely used in chronic pain management, evidence on their effectiveness has demonstrated heterogeneity. They have low retention rates, which are exacerbated by a lack of feedback, social interaction, and engaging content, contributing to boredom and higher attrition. Gamification offers a possibility to overcome these barriers and enhance user motivation and engagement. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the effects of an online gamified pain management program in a sample of adults with chronic noncancer pain. METHODS: A 2-arm, single-blind randomized controlled trial will recruit 172 participants through Chinese hospitals and online platforms. Eligible participants will be randomized to 2 groups: a 10-week gamified pain management program for the experimental group and routine online pain management materials for the control group. Primary outcomes, including pain intensity and pain interference, and secondary outcomes, including fear avoidance, emotion, exercise adherence, quality of life, and user satisfaction, will be assessed at baseline, after the intervention (10 weeks), and at a 3-month follow-up. A mixed-design ANOVA and intention-to-treat analysis will be used to evaluate intervention effects. RESULTS: The trial is registered, with recruitment ongoing from July 2025 to August 2026. A total of 172 participants (86 per group) will be recruited. As of November 17, 2025, we have recruited 19 participants. Results are expected to be published in March 2027. CONCLUSIONS: The findings will address a critical gap by examining a novel gamified intervention within a theory-driven design to provide an engaging solution to improve self-management in people with chronic pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2400094247; https://www.chictr.org.cn/hvshowproject.html?id=266029&v=1.0. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/80542.