Exploring pain situation, pain impact and educational preferences of pain among adults in mainland China, a cross-sectional study

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the pain situation, functional limitations, treatment used, care-seeking behaviors, and educational preferences of adults with pain in mainland China. Methods: An online questionnaire was developed through expert validation, and participants were recruited via social media platforms. Inclusion criteria required having access to the Internet and smartphones, while individuals with significant cognitive impairments or severe mental illness were excluded. Results: 1566 participants, predominantly male (951) with a mean age of 30.24, were included. A total of 80.1% of the respondents reported experiencing pain, with over half suffering from chronic pain. Pain primarily affects the neck, lower back, and upper back, especially chronic low back pain. Pain significantly impacted various aspects of life, including mood, physical activity, work performance, family dynamics, and social relationships, particularly among chronic pain sufferers (p-value: < 0.001). Analgesics (66.9%) and self-management (80–94.3%) were the most used pain management strategies, with respondents with chronic pain reporting higher usage and effectiveness of medication than those with acute pain (p-value: < 0.001). Participants also expressed a greater interest in online education and psychotherapy interventions, especially through mobile applications. Conclusions: Chronic pain is highly prevalent in mainland China, leading to emotional distress, decreased work competency, and social isolation, with a strong demand for pain education through smartphone applications.