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A study published in Pain Management Nursing examined "the types of pain-relevant programs offered by senior centers and whether the programs varied by clients' race/ethnicity status and center size." The authors found that the most common programs were exercise, dance, walking clubs, yoga, and Tai Chi classes. The study results indicate that "future research should determine optimal strategies for engaging older adults in these programs in the senior center setting." Full Story

A study published in Pain Management Nursing examined "the types of pain-relevant programs offered by senior centers and whether the programs varied by clients' race/ethnicity status and center size." The authors found that the most common programs were exercise, dance, walking clubs, yoga, and Tai Chi classes. The study results indicate that "future research should determine optimal strategies for engaging older adults in these programs in the senior center setting." Full Story

A recent study published in Pain Medicine featured information on the prevalence of neuropathic pain in older adults with back pain. The authors enrolled 261 older adults (65 years and older) with chronic back conditions. The study results indicate that a higher pain score was “associated with higher body mass index and pain radiating below the knee. “ The authors conclude that future research should focus on back pain among older adults in conjunction with other pain sites (i.e., knee joints). Full Story  

The authors of a recent study published in Res Aging examined variations in pain intensity, and examined how religion could influence pain trajectory among older adults. The study enrolled 720 community dwelling older adults who were interviewed over a 3-year time period.  The study results indicate that individuals who considered themselves religious also report higher levels of pain at baseline. Full Story

In Drugs and Aging the authors of a recent study sought to identify and examine innovative methods for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among older adult communities. The authors found discrepancies in the management of RA among the elderly, and that few studies on RA review treatment options for older adults. The authors conclude that current RA treatment methods require further research and analysis before implementation among older adult populations. Full Story

A recent article in Pain Medicine featured a study that examined “the influence health and social factors have on the knowledge and experience of cancer pain among older adults.” Study participants were “surveyed on questions assessing pain severity, knowledge and experience of pain, self-efficacy for pain treatment, satisfaction with pain treatment, and additional social, health, and demographic characteristics.” The authors found that “understanding older adults' knowledge of pain may begin to diminish the imparities in the diagnosis and treatment of pain among growing populations of older adults.” Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of Aging Health sought to determine whether “depression, cognition, functional status, health, and pain severity were predictors of day-to-day pain variability in older adults in long-term care settings.” The study consisted of 77 older adults aged 68 years and older who were assessed for pain severity and variability over a 30-day period. The authors found that “pain variability may give insight into older adults' experiences with both pain and depression, and may essentially improve quality of care and quality of life.” Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in JAMA examined mobility limitations among older adults and how they affect the physical, psychological, and social aspects of an older adult's life. The objective of the study was to “identify mobility risk factors, screening tools, need for physical therapy, and efficacy of exercise interventions for older primary care patients with limited mobility.” The authors found evidence “supporting resistance and balance exercises for improving physical weakness and balance disorders among older adults.” Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in PLoS One “aimed to estimate the prevalence of eight common chronic health conditions and examine socioeconomic inequalities in the diseases among older adults in China.” The study consisted of 13,157 older adults who completed a questionnaire that assessed chronic medical conditions such as “angina, arthritis, asthma, stroke, diabetes, depression, chronic lung disease and hypertension.” The study results indicate that “fifty percent of respondents reported having one of the selected chronic conditions.” Full Story

A recent study published in Hong Kong Medical Journal examined the “effectiveness and feasibility of a community-based aquatic exercise program for elders with osteoarthritis of the knee.” The study consisted of 20 older adults “aged 65 years and older who had suffered from osteoarthritis of the knee for at least 3 years with mild-to-severe knee pain.” The authors found that “physiotherapist-designed aquatic exercise has definite benefits, in terms of physical and psychosocial functioning, and should be promoted as one of the strategies to enhance long-term self-management of community elders with knee osteoarthritis.” Full Story