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A recent article published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing a recent study evaluated “pain prevalence among community-dwelling older adults and explored the relationships between pain and physical and psychological parameters.” The study consisted of 173 older adults (average age= 73) who completed a 25 minute interview that assessed pain intensity, happiness, and physical quality of life. The authors found that “nonpharmacological methods were commonly used by older persons as pain relief and that older persons with pain were less happy, less mobile and had a poorer quality of life as compared to their counterparts without pain.” Full Story

A recent study published in Gerodontology examined the epidemiology of headache and orofacial pain in Brazilian adults and elders in a district of São Paulo (Brazil).” The study consisted of older adults (age 60 and up) who completed a questionnaire that evaluated “socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence and location of pain and associated factors.” Full Story

A recent study published in the Journal of Gerontological Social Work identified “perceived barriers to, and facilitators for, utilizing nonpharmacological pain management through face-to-face interviews with 44 ethnically diverse community-dwelling older adults.” The authors identified the following barriers among participants, “embarrassment/self-consciousness, unavailability of certain treatments, and lack of faith in effectiveness of nonpharmacological treatments.” Full Story

A recent article in The Washington Post described a study that developed  new and innovative methods to help older adults self manage their pain and depression.  The following is an excerpt from the article: “the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that up to 5 percent of Americans age 65 and older living in community settings have major depression, which can result in acute psychological anguish, disability, suicide and early death.” Full Story

A recent study published in Medicine and Science in Sports Exercise “assessed the impact of isometric contractions that varied in intensity and duration on pain perception in adults over 60 years of age.” The authors conclude that “older adults experienced similar reductions in pain following several different intensities and durations of isometric contractions. Both older men and women experienced increases in pain threshold, but only older women experienced reductions in pain ratings.” Full Story

The British Journal of Anaesthesia recently featured a study that evaluated the use of psychosocial interventions in helping older adults manage their pain conditions. The article provides a conceptual background for psychosocial interventions, highlights cognitive behavioural therapy, emotional disclosure, and mind-body interventions for older adults, and provides directions for future research. Full Story

The Journal of Hand Therapy featured a study that evaluated container lid preferences of older adults with limited hand function and “self-reported difficulty opening jars.” The authors found that “the preferences of jar lids made by elderly females with hand pain support the recommendations commonly suggested by clinicians to increase the height, diameter, texture, and shape of jars, especially for lids smaller than 40 mm.” Full Story

A recent study published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine sought to examine the changes in “pain intensity among older adults before and after acupuncture treatment.” The authors found that “in older adults, acupuncture treatment decreases pulse rate, relieves pain in the shoulder, low back, and knee.” Full Story

The Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapy recently featured a study that examined the effects of thrust (TM) and non-thrust manipulation (NTM) “on a sample of older subjects with low back pain.” The authors found that “subjects 55 years and older experienced statistically significant reduction in pain and disability from TM or NTM interventions.” Full Story  

A recent study published in Nursing Research sought to determine the impact of fatigue on health-related quality of life among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The study consisted of 200 older adults who completed questionnaires that assessed “demographic variables, functional impairment, pain, and fatigue on perceived health impairment and satisfaction.” The authors found that “rheumatoid arthritis-related fatigue contributes to diminished psychological well-being in older adults.” Full Story