A recent study published in Pain evaluated knee pain among older adults (mean age=65.4) with osteoarthritis and how their pain conditions affect their spouses’ ability to sleep. The study consisted of “138 patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and their spouses who completed baseline interviews and a 22-day diary assessment.” The authors found that “patient pain was more strongly related to less refreshing sleep for spouses who were in a close relationship” and that “findings illustrate that chronic pain may place the spouse’s health at risk and suggest an important target for couple-oriented interventions.”
