Using Social Media to Discuss Chronic Pain: A Descriptive Study of TikTok Content

Abstract Background Approximately 20% of individuals worldwide are affected by chronic pain, a condition defined by WHO as lasting more than 3 months. Although chronic pain is more prevalent in adults 65 years and older, it affects individuals of all ages. An estimated one-quarter to one-third of children experience chronic pain. Materials and methods One-hundred TikTok videos discussing chronic pain were analyzed using quantitative content analysis and descriptive statistics. Content categories were pre-determined based on CDC guidelines for prescribing practices for chronic pain and literature review. Data was recorded, managed, and analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Results Collectively, the 100 sampled videos received 99,133,350 views; 13,817,400 likes; 167,473 comments; and 310,301 shares. Five content categories were present in a majority of the videos: 81 videos were created by patients and 81 by perceived young adults (age 19–30), 58 mentioned a type of chronic pain, and 55 used music. Additionally, 78 videos did not recommend solutions for chronic pain. Discussion Young people are using social media platforms, such as TikTok, to discuss their personal experiences with chronic pain. Our study found that these videos were primarily ways for young adults to share personal stories of chronic pain, not to promote remedies. Understanding the content created by people suffering from inadequately treated conditions, like chronic pain, is important for those involved in caring for such patients.