Increasing therapy adherence through emotionalization

Chronic pain is a widespread global health issue, affecting approximately 20% of the population. Effective management of chronic pain relies heavily on patients' adherence to treatment plans, but maintaining long-term engagement remains a challenge. While digital interventions have been developed to support therapy adherence, they often fall short in sustaining user commitment due to limited emotional connection and motivation. This paper proposes an emerging approach that utilizes emotionalization through personalized metaphorical representations, enhanced by generative AI and extended reality (XR) technologies. By integrating these personalized digital models into the treatment process and involving trusted individuals, the proposed solution aims to foster a deeper emotional bond between patients and their health, thereby improving long-term adherence. This strategy, though initially tested with orofacial pain, has the potential to be applied to a wide range of chronic conditions, offering a novel, emotionally engaging method to enhance therapy adherence.