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A recent article published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine presented research priorities that addressed “the burden, assessment, and management of symptoms associated with advanced illness in older adults.” The authors found that “most available studies have focused on relatively narrow conditions (e.g., chemotherapy-induced nausea) and there are almost no data relevant to patients with multiple morbidities or multiple concurrent symptoms.” Full Story

A recent article featured in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders evaluated a high intensity strength-training program and its ability to improve pain levels, and slow osteoarthritis (OA) progression among older adults. The study consisted of 372 older adults (age 55 and older) who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: high-intensity strength training; low-intensity strength training; or healthy living education. The authors conclude that “assessing the efficacy of optimal strength training has the potential for immediate and vital clinical impact” among older adults with osteoarthritis. Full Story

A recent study published in Applied Nursing Research provided information on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among rural community- dwelling older adult women with chronic pain. The authors hypothesized that the use of CAM treatments would be higher among older adults in rural areas because they have limited access to medical facilities. The authors found that pain severity was associated with an increased use of CAM among older adults and that the majority “reported using at least one type of CAM for relieving pain within the past 12 months.” Full Story

A recent study published in American Geriatric Society determined the association between objectively measured physical activity (PA), fractures, and falls among 2731 older adult men (mean age= 79). The authors found that 28% of study participants fell “at least once over 12-months of follow up.” The authors also noted that the association “between physical activity and falling varied according to age,” and “interventions aimed at obtaining more than 30 minutes of moderate PA per day may reduce fractures.” Full Story

A recent article published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management described a research intervention that evaluated the symptom experiences of older adults with cancer. The authors employed the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale to evaluate the occurrence, severity, frequency, and distress of 32 symptoms commonly reported among a cohort of 330 older adult (age 60 and older) cancer patients. The authors found that pain was one of the most common symptoms reported among study participants, and that “additional research is warranted to examine how age differences in symptom experience are influenced by treatment differences.” Full Story

A recent study published in Consultant Pharmacist described “a performance improvement initiative conducted in accordance with the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) guideline regarding pharmacological management of persistent pain in older adults.” The authors assessed the following outcome measures: “appropriate use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), utilization of proper pain assessment tools, types of opioids used, and associated adverse effects.” The authors noted “a trend toward improvement in the use of NSAIDs, but did not [observe a change] in practice regarding the frequency of opioid use” among older adults. Full Story

A recent study published in BMC Palliative Care examined pain management methods for treating musculoskeletal pain and improving quality of life among terminally ill older adults. The authors performed a systematic review of literature that addressed musculoskeletal pain at the end of life by searching Internurse, Medline, Psych Info, Web of Knowledge and Cochrane and other research databases up to September 2012.  The authors found that “priorities for future research include high quality epidemiological studies to establish the prevalence, and intervention research that provides an evidence base for treatment.” Full Story

A recent study published in the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy evaluated a cognitive-behavioral pain self-management program developed for older adults in the home care setting.  The authors recruited and observed “two groups of home care physical therapists who were trained in the community-based program and completed surveys and participated in discussions during the training workshops to gather input on the program components perceived to be most helpful for their patients with pain.” Full Story

A recent article published in Current Medical Research and Opinion featured a study that “sought to establish a simple and inexpensive measure of functional change for a chronic pain population.” The authors employed physical therapy, conducted multiple functional tests, and implemented a 6-minute walk test to assess the physical capabilities of older adults with chronic pain. The authors found that participants who received standard physical therapy in conjunction with daily walking activities reported improved pain scores. Full Story

A recent study published in International Psychogeriatrics described covariates and patterns of late-life analgesic use in a population of rural based older adults.  The study consisted of 1,109 older adults who completed 6 biannual surveys that assessed their use of analgesics over a span of 13 years. The authors found that “chronic use of opioid analgesics was reported by 7.2%, while non-opioid use was reported by 46.1%.” Full Story