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The authors of a recent study published in Arthritis and Rheumatology “identified factors associated with increased risk for developing wide spread pain in adults age 50 and older.” The authors administered a baseline questionnaire to 4,326 participants with pain. The questionnaire assessed psychological status, lifestyle and health behaviors, and sociodemographic and clinical factors that may influence pain symptoms. The authors found that a lack of sleep was the strongest independent predictor of new-onset wide spread pain among older adults. Full Story

The American Psychologist recently featured a study that provided information on “(a) the evidence base for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as applied to chronic pain, (b) recent innovations in target populations and delivery methods that expand the application of CBT to underserved populations, (c) current limitations and knowledge gaps, and (d) promising directions for improving CBT efficacy and access for people living with chronic pain.” The authors found “evidence for efficacy in improving pain and pain-related problems across a wide spectrum of chronic pain syndromes in older adults.” Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy “set out to determine the prevalence and impact of shoulder symptoms and dysfunction in an older adult veteran population.” The authors performed chart reviews and administered cross-sectional surveys to 93 older adults recruited from a primary outpatient clinic. The study results indicate that shoulder pain may have a considerable impact on older adults and that, “defining risk factors, devising new management strategies for patients with symptomatic shoulder disease will become increasingly important.” Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in American Psychologist conducted a literature review to “provide a broad overview of the scope and impact of persistent pain in older people and to discuss mechanisms by which persistent geriatric pain can lead to suffering and disability.” The authors reviewed  “differences between older and younger people in terms of pain perception, the social network, beliefs about pain, pain-related coping, and adherence to pain medication.” The authors found “a need for greater provider training in pain management to meet the needs of a changing U.S. population.” Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in BMC Geriatrics attempted to identify whether pain is undertreated among patients with dementia. The authors enrolled 1,848 older adult patients diagnosed with dementia aged 65 years and older. The study result indicate that analgesic use was more prevalent among dementia patients in comparison to other older adult groups. However, the authors found that pain was still undertreated among older adults with dementia despite the higher usage of analgesics.” Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in Clinical Interventions in Aging assessed “1) the prevalence of pain in older adults discharged from inpatient facilities; and 2) the association between self-reported pain and physical performance in people discharged from inpatient rehabilitation centers.” The authors enrolled 420 older adults from two inpatient rehabilitation centers whose pain “was assessed with questions about the extent to which participants were troubled by pain, the duration of symptoms, and the impact of chronic pain on everyday activity.” The authors found that “one-third of participants reported chronic pain,” and that, “chronic pain was associated with impaired physical [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Pain examined the role of vitamin D supplements in reducing chronic pain among older adults. The authors employed a randomized controlled trial in which 36 older adult women with fibromyalgia were separated into two treatment groups. The first group of participants received Vitamin D supplements while the second group of participants received a placebo. The authors found that increased vitamin D intake resulted in decreased pain levels and increased physical function among participants. Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in Pain examined whether older adults “with musculoskeletal pain conditions have increased sensitivity to physical activity (SPA) and respond to activities of stable intensity with increasingly severe pain.” The authors enrolled 107 older adults with chronic knee osteoarthritis who completed self-report measures of pain, function, and psychological factors, and performed a 6-min walk test. The authors found that “pain was a significant predictor of SPA among older adults and that SPA mediated the relationship between pain and physical function.” Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in Pain Management Nursing evaluated “the effects of a physical exercise program (PEP) on older residents of nursing homes who have chronic pain.” The authors enrolled 396 older adults (average age 85 years old) from 10 nursing homes who experienced pain.  Participants were enrolled in an “eight-week PEP that consisted of warm-up exercises, muscle strengthening, stretching, and balancing.” The authors found that upon completion of PEP, participants reported reduced pain symptoms and improved well-being. Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in Rheumatology Oxford aimed to determine the impact of age on the progression and remission of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among older adults. The authors enrolled 1809 patients with RA and separated them into 3 different groups, young adults (<42 years), middle-aged adults (≥42-<64 years) and older adults (≥64). The study results indicate that individuals in the older adult group were more heavily impacted by RA in comparison to other age groups. Full Story