The transformative potential of digital therapeutics in pediatrics

Vina Mohabir; Chitra Lalloo; Andrew M. Briggs; Christopher Eccleston; Courtney Hess; Quynh Pham; Helen Slater; Pedro Velmovitsky; Jennifer N. Stinson

doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003713

The transformative potential of digital therapeutics in pediatrics

Vina Mohabir, Chitra Lalloo, Andrew M. Briggs, Christopher Eccleston, Courtney Hess, Quynh Pham, Helen Slater, Pedro Velmovitsky, Jennifer N. Stinson

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Digital therapeutics (DTx) are applied healthcare technologies designed to prevent, manage, or treat health conditions. In pediatric pain, DTx can enhance access to evidence-based, effective pain assessment and management. This article explores technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), extended reality (XR), mobile health (mHealth), and sensors (eg, smartwatches). Equitable DTx deployment can address geographic disparities by enabling on-demand pain care, necessitating an intelligent learning DTx-enabled health system. Ensuring safety will require comprehensive regulatory frameworks at national and international levels. Achieving this transformation requires robust regulatory frameworks, workforce training, and equitable codesign to ensure accessible, evidence-based care for all pediatric populations.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	S121-S130
Number of pages	10
Journal	Pain
Volume	166
Issue number	11 S1
Early online date	1 Nov 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003713
Publication status	Published - 1 Nov 2025

Acknowledgements

A special thanks to the SickKids Pain Centre Patient and Family Advisory committee for their insight into their vision on the future of digital therapeutics for pediatric pain.

Keywords

Digital therapeutics
Pediatric pain
Pediatric pain assessment
Pediatric pain management

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Neurology
Clinical Neurology
Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003713

Cite this

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title = "The transformative potential of digital therapeutics in pediatrics",

abstract = "ABSTRACT: Digital therapeutics (DTx) are applied healthcare technologies designed to prevent, manage, or treat health conditions. In pediatric pain, DTx can enhance access to evidence-based, effective pain assessment and management. This article explores technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), extended reality (XR), mobile health (mHealth), and sensors (eg, smartwatches). Equitable DTx deployment can address geographic disparities by enabling on-demand pain care, necessitating an intelligent learning DTx-enabled health system. Ensuring safety will require comprehensive regulatory frameworks at national and international levels. Achieving this transformation requires robust regulatory frameworks, workforce training, and equitable codesign to ensure accessible, evidence-based care for all pediatric populations.",

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AU - Mohabir, Vina

AU - Lalloo, Chitra

AU - Briggs, Andrew M.

AU - Eccleston, Christopher

AU - Hess, Courtney

AU - Pham, Quynh

AU - Slater, Helen

AU - Velmovitsky, Pedro

AU - Stinson, Jennifer N.

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N2 - ABSTRACT: Digital therapeutics (DTx) are applied healthcare technologies designed to prevent, manage, or treat health conditions. In pediatric pain, DTx can enhance access to evidence-based, effective pain assessment and management. This article explores technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), extended reality (XR), mobile health (mHealth), and sensors (eg, smartwatches). Equitable DTx deployment can address geographic disparities by enabling on-demand pain care, necessitating an intelligent learning DTx-enabled health system. Ensuring safety will require comprehensive regulatory frameworks at national and international levels. Achieving this transformation requires robust regulatory frameworks, workforce training, and equitable codesign to ensure accessible, evidence-based care for all pediatric populations.

AB - ABSTRACT: Digital therapeutics (DTx) are applied healthcare technologies designed to prevent, manage, or treat health conditions. In pediatric pain, DTx can enhance access to evidence-based, effective pain assessment and management. This article explores technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), extended reality (XR), mobile health (mHealth), and sensors (eg, smartwatches). Equitable DTx deployment can address geographic disparities by enabling on-demand pain care, necessitating an intelligent learning DTx-enabled health system. Ensuring safety will require comprehensive regulatory frameworks at national and international levels. Achieving this transformation requires robust regulatory frameworks, workforce training, and equitable codesign to ensure accessible, evidence-based care for all pediatric populations.

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The transformative potential of digital therapeutics in pediatrics

Abstract

Acknowledgements

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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