pak2020

The use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and OTC analgesics in particular, poses challenges in older adult populations. According to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, 93% of adults in the United States prefer to treat their minor ailments with OTC medicines before seeking care from a health care provider.2 Furthermore, adults 65 years of age and older use more prescription and OTC medications than any other demographic group, and they account for 30% of OTC medication use in the United States.3,4 Older adults are significantly more likely to experience an adverse drug reaction than younger adults, with a reported 61.5% of [...]

OBJECTIVE: Nonspecific chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a frequent medical condition among middle-aged and older adults. Its detrimental consequences for functional ability and quality of life are well known. However, less is known about associations of chronological age with disability and well-being among CLBP patients. Coping with pain may be harder with advancing age due to additional age-associated losses of physical, sensory, and other resources, resulting in higher disability and lower quality of life. Alternatively, older patients may feel less impaired and report higher quality of life than younger patients because the experience of chronic pain may be better [...]

OBJECTIVE: Testing stepped-care approaches that address both depression and low back pain are needed to optimize outcomes in older adults. METHODS: This university-based late-life depression research center assessed 227 adults aged ≥ 60 years with chronic low back pain and depression. In Phase 1 participants received 6 weeks of low-dose venlafaxine (≤150 mg/day). Nonresponders were randomized to 10 weeks of high-dose venlafaxine (up to 300 mg/day) plus problem-solving therapy (PST) or high-dose venlafaxine with supportive management. Definition of response was 2 weeks of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ≤ 5 and ≥30% pain reduction on a numeric rating scale. Function was measured with the Short Physical Performance Battery [...]

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a complex, age-related health issue that affects both physical functioning and quality of life. Because the impact of chronic pain is worsened by obesity and inactivity, nonpharmacological interventions that promote movement, reduce sitting, and aid in weight loss are needed to help manage pain symptoms among older adults with chronic pain. OBJECTIVE: The Mobile Intervention to Reduce Pain and Improve Health (MORPH) pilot trial aims to develop and test the feasibility and acceptability of a novel, patient-centered intervention to reduce chronic pain and improve physical functioning in older adults, leveraging the combination of telecoaching and individually [...]

The number of older adults living with chronic pain is significant [1,2]. As the population continues to age, this number is likely to increase [3]. Practices surrounding pain management are varied and include pharmacotherapies (e.g., opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, anticonvulsants), psychotherapy, and other supportive, complementary treatments such as physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage. Given the substantial number of aging adults living with chronic pain, rising health care costs, and a shortage of caregivers to help care for these individuals, many experts have asked whether emerging technologies, in particular mobile health (mHealth) devices, can help to address these important and related challenges [...]