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Special Issue: Translational Research on Pain and Pain Management in Later Life Co-Editors: Cary Reid, PhD, MD, and Karl Pillemer, PhD, FGSA Chronic pain is a common, morbid, and costly disorder that disproportionately affects older adults. Innovation in Aging invites submissions for empirical papers and systematic or scoping reviews that contribute new insights and knowledge on geriatric pain issues related to its impact, prevention, detection, and management. Studies that advance our [...]

Risk of fractures in older adults with chronic non-cancer pain receiving concurrent benzodiazepines and opioids: A nested case–control study. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the concurrent use of benzodiazepines and opioids and the risk of fractures in older patients with chronic non-cancer pain. Methods: Patients with osteoarthritis or low back pain (≥ 65 years of age) included in the Korean National Health Insurance Service–National [...]

High prevalence of multimorbidity and polypharmacy in elderly patients with chronic pain receiving home care are associated with multiple medication-related problems Aim: To measure the extent of polypharmacy, multimorbidity and potential medication-related problems in elderly patients with chronic pain receiving home care. Methods: Data of 355 patients aged ≥65 years affected by chronic pain in home care who were enrolled in the ACHE study in Berlin, Germany, were analyzed. History of chronic diseases, diagnoses, [...]

Moderate to severe chronic pain in later life: risk and resilience factors for recovery Despite extensive research on the development and risk factors of chronic pain, the process of recovery from chronic pain in later life has been rarely studied. We estimated the recovery rate of moderate to severe chronic pain (chronic pain of moderate or severe severity or interfering with usual activities) among older adults and investigated predictors [...]

Loneliness and social integration as mediators between physical pain and suicidal ideation among elderly men Suicide in the elderly is a complex and significant public health problem. This study sought to examine the role of loneliness and social integration as potential mediators in the relationship between physical pain and suicidal ideation in elderly single men. This investigation found that the association between physical pain and suicidal ideation was mediated by [...]

Managing patients with chronic pain during the Covid-19 outbreak: Considerations for the rapid introduction of remotely supported (e-health) pain management services Across the world pain treatment centres have closed their doors. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, healthcare providers are abruptly changing their care delivery to protect patients and staff from infection, and to reallocate resource towards the greatest acute needs. Elective, routine, and non-emergency casework has stopped in secondary and tertiary centres, while [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Abstract Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of joint pain in the United States and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as Diclofenac sodium, which is currently available in two main routes of administration; oral and topical distribution have been established as one of the standard treatments for OA. Generally, oral NSAIDs are well tolerated; however our narrative review suggests that the topical solution had a better tolerability [...]

Introduction: Emergency department (ED) stay and its associated conditions (immobility, inadequate hydration and nutrition, lack of stimulation) favor the development of delirium in vulnerable elderly patients. Poorly controlled pain, and paradoxically opioid pain treatment, has also been identified as a trigger for delirium. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between pain, opioid treatment, and delirium in elderly ED patients. Methods: A multicenter prospective cohort study [...]

Abstract AIM: The present cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between frailty and chronic pain, activities of daily living (ADL), and physical activity in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Participants were 379 older adults who attended community-based exercise classes. Outcome measures were frailty as determined by the Kihon Checklist, full pain assessment (including the sensory, emotional and cognitive aspects of pain), ADL and physical activity. These outcomes were evaluated using validated [...]

Abstract Pain significantly restricts the quality of life and well-being of older adults. With our increasingly ageing population, it is important to examine whether differing classes of biopsychosocial risk factors can predict the development of pain in older adults. Latent class analysis (LCA) provides a model-based approach to identifying underlying subgroups in a population, based on some measured characteristics. In this study, LCA was used to identify biopsychosocial risk [...]

Authors:  ©Jason Fanning, Amber K Brooks, Edward Ip, Barbara J Nicklas, W Jack Rejeski. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (http://www.researchprotocols.org), 14.05.2018. 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 [...]

After a hospitalization, age is positively associated with the likelihood of receiving an opioid prescription and patients that are older than 76 years of age have the greatest odds of continued opioid exposure, according to a new study. Additionally, the findings showed that 20% of older adults that were given a new opioid prescription after hospitalization received at least 1 more within 3 to 9 months, and 4.8% met [...]

Association Between Psychological Interventions and Chronic Pain Outcomes in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Bahar Niknejad, MD, Ruth Bolier, MD, PhD, Charles R. Henderson Jr, Diana Delgado, MLS, Elissa Kozlov, PhD, Corinna E. Löckenhoff, PhD, M. Carrington Reid, MD, PhD Key Points Question  Do older adults with chronic pain benefit from psychological therapies? Findings  In this systematic review and meta-analysis including 22 studies with 2608 participants, psychological interventions that used cognitive behavioral therapy modalities were associated with statistically significant benefits in terms of reduced pain and catastrophizing beliefs [...]

Question:  For patients with moderate to severe chronic back pain or hip or knee osteoarthritis pain despite analgesic use, does opioid medication compared with nonopioid medication result in better pain-related function? Findings:  In this randomized clinical trial that included 240 patients, the use of opioid vs nonopioid medication therapy did not result in significantly better pain-related function over 12 months (3.4 vs 3.3 points on an 11-point scale at [...]

This study aimed to screen the prevalence of pain in Chinese community- dwelling older adults and to evaluate the effects of a brief mindfulness- based intervention on chronic pain. The prevalence of pain among Chinese older adults was 40.5%. The brief mindfulness intervention had significant effects on reducing pain intensity (P = 0.004), and increasing the mind- fulness measures: observing, acting with awareness, non-judging and non- reactivity inner experience [...]

Health care professionals who specialize in treating chronic pain have moved beyond what doctors call a unidimensional evaluation to a multidimensional one.  It makes total sense, says  Cary Reid, MD, PhD, director of the Translational Research Institute on Pain in Later Life at Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York. “Pain is something that has many dimensions,” he says. “One thing important is the severity level.” So using what the [...]

Age is one of the most critical factors associated with chronic pain. Compared to their younger counterparts, older adults suffer more from CLBP, seek less care (Knauer, Freburger, & Carey, 2010), and are more susceptible to poor pain outcomes, including disability and mortality (Gagliese, 2009). Older adults face numerous barriers in accessing chronic pain care, such as poor communication with health care providers, transportation problems, and psychosocial limitations (Park, [...]

In a Journal of the American Geriatrics Society study, many well-functioning and highly active older adults experienced back pain, which was linked with poorer perceived and observed walking endurance."Older adults are living longer and healthier active lives, so paying attention to conditions that may threaten independent function is increasingly important," said lead author Dr. Eleanor Simonsick, of the National Institute on Aging. "In this study, we found that back [...]

Manuscript published in Pain Medicine Authors: Zachary G. Jacobs, MD, D. Michael Elnicki, MD, Subashan Perera, PhD, and Debra K. Weiner, MD Abstract:  Objective. To determine 1) the feasibility of implementing an e-learning module on chronic low back pain (CLBP) in an older adult into an existing internal medicine residency curriculum and 2) the impact of this module on resident attitudes, confidence, knowledge, and clinical skills relating to CLBP. [...]

Better Approach to Pain Assessment Places Emphasizes on Function A clinically aligned pain assessment tool employs a multidimensional approach that focuses on improving pain based on function rather than a single pain number. By Kathleen Doheny With Cary Reid, MD, PhD, and Debra Topham, PhD, JD, RN Click here to read the full article.

More Pain, More Aging, and More Pain With Aging: Parts 1 and 2 Pre-conference workshop at recent IAGG meeting featured experts in clinical research and care by Neil Andrews on 16 Jan 2018 In 2017, for the first time ever, the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG) World Congress featured a pre-conference workshop on the topic of pain and aging. The workshop, titled “Pain and Aging: Measurement, Mechanisms, [...]

TRIPLL has recently been featured in an article published in Weill Cornell Medicine. A Sense of Relief A Collaborative Institute Brings Together Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and the Ithaca and Tech Campuses—Along with NYC Community Groups—to Combat Chronic Pain in Older Adults The twice-weekly tai chi class at Riverdale Senior Services routinely draws dozens of participants. Photo by John Abbott Founded in 2009 with a five-year grant [...]

Abstract: This study compares the outcomes, from pretreatment to 1-year follow-up, of an outpatient, CBT-based pain self-management program (PSM) that included exercises, pain education, and pain coping strategies, with a control condition (exercise-attention control, EAC) that included exercises and a control for the attention of the treatment team. We previously reported short-term results (to 1-month follow-up) from the same study. This new paper considers the important issue of maintenance [...]

TRIPLL has formed The Cornell International ePainCare Collaboration, an international collaborative made up of a wide range researchers interested and/or working in the areas of mobile health, technology, pain and/or aging. The mission of this collaboration is to expand existing, and facilitate new programs of basic and applied research, by evaluating the role of electronic and mobile technologies in the management of later life pain (ePainCare). TRIPLL will host an [...]

Among the many new technologies on the market, virtual reality offers plenty of possibilities for exploration as it can be used in different industries including senior care. The technology has arrived at the right time with mobile devices already being widely used by the elderly. Although they generally lag behind their younger counterparts, users aged 65 and older said that owning a smartphone offers ‘a liberating experience’. Smartphones are [...]

As the nation grapples with a devastating opioid epidemic, concerns have primarily focused on young people buying drugs on the street. But America's elderly also have a problem. Over the past several decades, physicians have increasingly prescribed seniors pain medications to address chronic pain from arthritis, cancer, neurological diseases and other illnesses that become more common in later life. A recent study found that in 2011, 15 percent of [...]

The Weill Cornell T32 Training Program in Behavioral Geriatrics, led by Cary Reid MD, PhD and Holly Prigerson, PhD, is accepting MD and PhD postdoctoral trainees who seek careers that bridge biomedical and innovative social and behavioral approaches to improve care and health outcomes in older adults. The goal of the program is for trainees to become independent investigators capable of conducting patient oriented research to improve quality of life and [...]

Concerns surrounding harmful side effects and medication interactions associated with prescription medications has led to increasing support of the use of OTC medications and nonpharmacological multimodal therapies to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain. Musculoskeletal pain is a common occurrence affecting many older adults. It is estimated that one in four older adults will suffer chronic nonmalignant musculoskeletal pain. With the increase in the geriatric population (35 million people who are aged [...]

People who have reached their later years may think it's primarily a time to relax, not to increase their physical activity. Not so. Previous research has suggested that exercise can improve memory and reverse muscle loss in older adults, among other benefits. And a study out Monday finds that a regular program of physical activity reduces the time spent with mobility-limiting disability. Researchers took more than 1,600 sedentary people between [...]

A successful former businessman develops a sudden fear of driving. A longtime homemaker is convinced she never has enough groceries in the house. It’s a pattern familiar to many of us with aging parents: the overwhelming worry or constant nervousness over day-to-day tasks, from taking medications to parking the car. Left untreated, this anxiety-related agitation in the elderly can disrupt sleep and eating, exacerbate chronic medical conditions, and ultimately contribute [...]

Drug addiction is not restricted to the young. Donna Weber, now 53, turned to painkillers after undergoing simple surgery. Then a long, tortured path to divorce made her anxious and depressed. Soon, she found herself on a candy-colored pill roller coaster. Unlike street drugs, the pharmaceutical pills were easy to obtain legally. She got them from emergency rooms, dentists, psychiatrists, even plastic surgeons. “I went to doctors with exaggerated truths,” [...]

America’s opioid epidemic has reached crisis proportions, enough so that last week the United States Surgeon General took the unprecedented step of sending a letter to 2.3 million American health care professionals asking them to take a pledge to “turn the tide” on the opioid crisis. Relieving pain is an essential element of good care, and we are appropriately reminded that the use of these powerful medications requires precision, caution, [...]

People in America today can expect to live longer than ever before. Once you make it to 65, the data suggest that you can live another 19.3 years, on average, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For many, then, senior living includes carefully managing chronic conditions in order to stay healthy. Making healthy lifestyle choices, like quitting smoking and losing weight, can help you avoid senior [...]

It’s become a popular belief that many people become addicted to opioid pain medication after surgery. According to a recent national survey, one in ten pain patients believe they became addicted or dependent on opioids after they started taking them for post-operative pain. But a large new study in Canada found that long term opioid use after surgery is extremely rare, with less than one percent of older adults still [...]

Older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who start using opioids have a more than two-fold higher risk of dying from a respiratory-related complication compared to non-opioid users, St. Michael's Hospital researchers have found. When researchers looked specifically at more potent opioids, they found the risk for respiratory-related death was five times higher for new opioid users compared to non-opioid users. Excerpted from an article on News-Medical.Net. To read the [...]

Delirium—a state of confusion that develops suddenly, often following an acute illness or hospitalization—is estimated to impact more than 2.5 million older adults in the U.S. every year, though it often goes undetected. Post-operative delirium, or delirium that sets in after a surgical procedure, impacts as many as 50% of elders at an estimated cost of $164 billion per year.   Excerpted from an article by Sharon K. Inouye, MD, [...]

Today, federal and state governments, as well as hospitals and clinics, are struggling with the country’s devastating opioid epidemic. With prescription pain medication abuse a driving factor, the focus has mostly been on younger and middle-aged people and restricting drug access. However, millions of older people experience chronic, even debilitating pain and desperately need relief. We must take a balanced approach so that older adults can continue to make contributions [...]

Dr. Cary Reid of TRIPLL was quoted in a New York Times article titled, “New Opioid Limits Challenge the Most Pain-Prone”, commenting on the importance of proper treatment of chronic pain and the reluctance of older adults to use opioid medication. Read Full article here.

The dictionary defines ageism as the "tendency to regard older persons as debilitated, unworthy of attention, or unsuitable for employment." But research indicates that ageism may not just be ill-informed or hurtful. It may also be a matter of life and death. Not that it's literally killing people. Researcher Becca Levy, a professor of epidemiology and psychology at the Yale School of Public Health, says it depends on how much a [...]

Cathleen Schine, author of They May Not Mean To, says that living far away from an elderly parent can create feelings of guilt as well as those of relief. Click here to read NPR Fresh Air interview with Catherine Schine, air date July 18, 2016.  

Alzheimer’s disease may affect people’s ability to recognize when they are in pain, a new study shows. Undetected pain may allow underlying health issues to go untreated, leading to serious complications, such as organ damage, researchers from Vanderbilt University in Nashville cautioned. For the three-year study, the researchers tested two groups of adults who were aged 65 or older. One group was made up of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, [...]

Pain Matters, a documentary produced by the Discovery Channel, chronicles the lives of people affected by chronic pain and their loved ones. Throughout the film, participants shared personal details on how living with chronic pain has affected their ability to take part in activities and even its impact on their relationships. According to Paul Christo, MD, MBA, "This documentary offers an uplifting overview of the journeys of people dealing with a variety [...]

In the Journal of Pain Management Nursing, authors examined the association between pain intensity and health-related quality of life in ethnically diverse older adults. The study sample consisted of older adults with chronic pain from four ethnic groups (African Americans, Afro Caribbeans, Hispanics, and European Americans). The study found that African Americans reported the highest levels of pain intensity and the lowest mental and physical health scores. The authors [...]

In the Journal of Applied Clinical Informatics, authors examined the impact of a smartphone application on elderlies’ lives. The smartphone application, ‘Confidence’ aims to provide support to elderly people by helping them stay independent and active. The study sample consisted of 41 individuals and their quality of life was assessed by questionnaires before and after the test period. The study found that the use of ‘Confidence’ made the study participants [...]

A recent study published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine, examined the effect of daily negative and positive mood on the sleep quality of older adults with knee osteoarthritis. The authors derived data from a previous related study that involved older adults with knee osteoarthritis and their partners. The study found that “daily negative and positive mood fluctuations can interact with partner responses to affect sleep quality among older [...]

A recent study published in the Pain Management Nursing journal evaluated the performance of self-reported pain, nurse-reported pain, and observational pain tools among older patients with cognitive impairment using a prospective observational design. The authors conducted the study within an acute geriatric ward located in a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The study found that “the use of an observational pain scale could help in clinical assessment when cognitive [...]

Many older adults are involved in motor vehicle crashes are severely injured and often remain in pain for months afterwards. According to a recent study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine journal, older adults discharged from the emergency department (ED) after a motor vehicle crash, experience persistent pain, which is associated with functional decline and disability. The authors concluded that due to their findings, clinicians might have to “identify [...]

We are thrilled to have hosted our TRIPLL conference “Advancing Pain Care through Behavior Change Science & Mobile Health Technologies” on May 1, 2015 in New York City. The conference focused on opportunities to leverage new knowledge about the science of behavior change and emerging new media technologies to address the management of later life pain. Copies of the conference presentations can be accessed by clicking on the links below: [...]

In a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the authors compared the effects of surgery with physical therapy (PT) for patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS). 169 surgical candidates with LSS, ages 50 and older were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to surgery (87 patients) or PT (82 patients). The authors found that “the PT and surgery groups had the same amount of improvement in [...]

In the European Journal of Pain, researchers studied the interplay between enduring and situation aging stereotype (AS) effects in older adults’ self-reports. The prospective study initially measured cultural AS endorsement, clinical pain severity and interference. Three months later, the effects of AS activation on reported clinical pain and experimentally reduced pain threshold and tolerance were measured. The results supported that the activation of negative AS would lead to, “higher cold [...]

A recent study published in Pain Management Nursing explored “the role of clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and nurse practitioner (NP) as change champions during the implementation of an evidence-based pain protocol in long-term care (LTC). The authors conducted the study in two LTC homes in Ontario, Canada. Participant observation, nurses’ personal records, and interviews with interdisciplinary team members were used to explore perceptions about the NP and CNS role in [...]

According to a recent population-based cohort study published in the journal, Arthritis and Rheumatology, radiographic hip osteoarthritis (RHOA) increased the risks of all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality among older women. The study analyzed data from 9704 women who were 65 years of age or older. The authors found that after a mean follow-up of 16 years, the prevalence of RHOA was 8 % at baseline and 11 % at [...]

A cross-sectional study printed in PM&R looked into the relation between knee pain/back pain and quality of life (QoL) in people 50 years and older. Taking data from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2010, the results found from the study indicate “both men and women with knee pain and LBP had a lower QoL than those without them in all dimensions of the Eq-5D, Eq-5D [...]

Recently published in Drug, Healthcare and Patient Safety, researchers investigated the usage of NSAIDs in older patients. Due to their life-threatening side effects, NSAIDs are not favored in treatment of pain in the elderly. Using a cross-sectional analysis from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data, prescriptions for NSAIDs, opioids, and adjuvants agents were identified. The results of the study showcased an alarming “89% of the 206,879,848 weighted visits in [...]

Released by the Journal of Gerontological Nursing, researchers looked into “an individual example to provide a framework for assessment and clinical management” for older adults with trigeminal neuralgia. The article looks into “specific quality of life issues and related management approaches” and other guidelines for response to treatment. The strategies presented in the article gives “suggestions for supportive coaching” and “direction for health providers caring for older adults with TN.” [...]

An article in the European Spine Journal looked to compare the efficacy of pregabalin and opioids for chronic low back pain (LBP) in older adults. Holding a randomized controlled trial of pregabalin and opioids in 65 patients, 65 years or older and suffering from chronic LBP, the researchers discovered “pregabalin was effective for LBP in patients with lower limb symptoms, whereas opioids were effective for those without lower limb symptoms.” [...]

A new poll recently released by the National Sleep Foundation found that "pain is a key factor in the gap between the amount of sleep Americans say they need and the amount they’re getting." The national, random-sample survey establishes the broad impacts of pain-related sleep loss on millions of Americans. Click here to learn more about the 2015 Sleep in America Poll

The authors of a recent study published in Pain aimed to investigate “whether symptoms of depression are associated with Low Back Pain (LBP) after adjusting for various confounders, including genetics.” The authors conducted a large twins study and analyzed data from an established database (Murcia Twin Registry) of nearly 2,150 Spanish twins. Questionnaire responses were analyzed to determine whether participants with symptoms of depression had higher prevalence of back pain. [...]

An article in The American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine looked to see if rehabilitation is useful in “improving the quality of life by palliating function, mobility, activities of daily living, pain relief, endurance, and the psyche of the patient.” In this review article, the researchers focused on several rehabilitation interventions for patients with late stage illness. They concluded that “rehabilitation services are underutilized in the palliative care setting, [...]

In a recent study published in Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, a group of investigators sought to “identify fall predictors in elderly suffering from chronic pain (CP) and to test their applicability among patients with other chronic conditions.” Monitoring 1,379 patients 65 years and older suffering from chronic pain; socio-demographic, clinical and pain data and medications were assessed for association with falls in the year after. The results showed that [...]

Drs. Cary Reid and Karl Pillemer (TRIPLL's co-directors) and their research team recently published an article in BMJ which sought to identify several "recent evidence on the assessment and management of pain in older patients.” Taking evidence from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, individual trials and clinical guidelines, the paper looks at the several management and drug interventions along with evaluating drug or non-drug treatments. They concluded that, “given low rates of [...]

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Office of Pain Policy recently developed an infographic on Disparities in Pain Care. The infographic features a number of factors that contribute to disparities in pain care and treatment drawn from evidence-based research. Some areas of interest included socioeconomic status, language barriers, bias in pain treatment, and access to care. Visit the NIH Pain Consortium site to learn more

An independent panel convened by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) developed a final report of the 2014 NIH Pathways to Prevention Workshop: The Role of Opioids in the Treatment of Chronic Pain. The report summarizes the workshop and identifies the need for more research and development around the evidence-based, multidisciplinary approaches needed to balance patient perspectives, desired outcomes, and safety. The panel concludes that "individualized, patient-centered care is needed [...]

A recent study conducted by Dr. Mary Morrissey (A TRIPLL Pilot Awardee) and her team examined the relationship between pain and chronic illnesses in older adults, ages 50 and above. The study evaluated longitudinal survey data from the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study consisting of a sample of 21,902 individuals. The authors found, "positive associations between pain and chronic diseases, pain and multimorbidity, as well as an inverse [...]

The authors of a published article in The Clinical Journal of Pain sought to identify factors associated with persistent chronic pain among community-dwelling older persons. This prospective longitudinal study sampled 256 people aged 76 years and older to collect data on “prevalence, duration, location, and intensity of musculoskeletal pain, analgesic use, demographics, and health characteristics.” The authors concluded that persistent chronic pain “is related to poor health and mobility issues. [...]

The journal Pain recently featured a report by a group of authors in Sweden who sought to "quantify the societal cost of chronic pain in people 65 years old and older to assess the impact of chronic pain on quality of life." The authors collected data from three registers and sent a postal questionnaire to a stratified sample in southeastern Sweden. The authors found an association between "resource use and [...]

The author of a recent paper published in the Journal of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy examined the importance of integrating pain management and palliative care. Using a case report in the journal, the author identifies "the use of indwelling catheters for continuous interscalene blocks in cancer pain management as an example of why these two medical subspecialties need improved collaboration and integration." The author concludes that tighter integration between [...]

A recent study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry aimed to see if there is a relationship between pain in stroke patients and its emotional distress (ED) and social engagement (SE). The study enrolled 274 chronic stroke patients in nursing homes; interviews were conducted and filled out with nurse assistants. The authors found that, "Pain is a serious and multidimensional problem among institutionalized stroke patients," and concluded that [...]

A team of TRIPLL Investigators and affiliates, including Cary Reid, TRIPLL's director and Jamie Guillory, Pamara Chang, Chuck Henderson and Geri Gay, recently published an article in The Clinical Journal of Pain which sought to, "examine the preliminary effects of a SMS text message-based social support intervention for reducing daily pain interference levels, improving affect and perceptions of social support in patients with chronic non-cancer pain." The authors enrolled 68 [...]

A recent study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society examined, "the prevalence of bodily pain measures in elderly people and their relationship with Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores." The authors conducted a cross-sectional study in a representative community sample of 578 older adults, ages 70 and above. Prevalence of pain intensity and pain prevalence and their relationship with PPS scores, past medical history and neuropsychological testing scores were [...]

Investigators at Tell Aviv University and Cornell University find that conditions of retirement may lead to substance abuse disorders among older adults. A recent study published in the Journal of Work, Aging and Retirement, conducted a ten-year study investigating this link. The study found that, older adults often lack the skills required to cope with retirement, death of spouses and friends and deteriorating health, which lead to feelings of depression [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Neurology sought to, “examine associations between complexity of main lifetime occupation and cognitive performance in later life.” The study collected the childhood IQs of 1066 people from a 1936 study. The authors then grouped the participants according to profession and assessed their cognitive performance at age 70. The authors found that people who work at complex jobs generally did better on a [...]

A new study at Hospital for Special Surgery accessed the efficacy of hospital-based exercise programs around pain and physical activity level, falls and balance. The study enrolled 132 participants, 75 years and older, who completed questionnaires pre and post completion of program. The study found that older adults experienced significant decrease in levels of pain, stiffness and fatigue after participating in a hospital-based exercise program. The authors conclude that, “exercise [...]

A recent study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, aimed to investigate, "whether internet use and social engagement protect against health literacy decline during ageing, independent of cognitive decline." The authors used prospective data from 4368 adults, ages 52 and older, from 2004 to 2011. The authors measured health literacy at baseline and at follow-up, and studied the influences of internet usage and engagement in social activities [...]

The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of Aging and Health aimed to, “evaluate the cross- sectional and longitudinal association between perceived walkability-related neighborhood characteristics and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older Latino adults.” The authors enrolled 351 older adults, ages 60 and older, who were screened positive for depression at baseline and conducted in-person interviews at baseline, 12 month and 24 month follow up. The study found [...]

A recent study published in Menopause aimed to, “compare the long-term effects of outdoor and indoor training on affective outcomes and adherence to exercise training in postmenopausal women.” The authors conducted a 12-week randomized trial study and enrolled 23 older women ages 52-69 years old who were assigned to either outdoor training or indoor training. The authors assessed depression symptoms and physical activity levels before and after the intervention. The [...]

In a recent study published in Musculoskeletal Care, the authors investigated older people’s view on their experiences with pain and its management in relation to their views of successful aging. The authors conducted semi-structured interviews with older adults, ages 75 years or older, and the themes determined were, “‘understanding of pain’ and ‘perceptions of aging.’” The study found that, “predictable experiences of pain as one ages may contribute to an [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Neurology aimed to “test the hypothesis that low levels of Vitamin D is associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline over a 4.4-year follow-up in a large sample of older adults.” The authors conducted an Italian population-based cohort study of 1,927 older adults, and assessed their vitamin D levels and global cognitive function at baseline. The study found that participants [...]

A recent study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia examined “the association between parental longevity and late-life cognitive decline or dementia.” The authors included participants from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and recruited a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling older adults, ages 64 or older. The study found that, “offspring age 64 and older with long-lived parents had a slower rate of cognitive decline and a reduced risk of physician-diagnosed [...]

In a study recently published in the Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, show that acupuncture may be effective in treating older adults suffering from low back pain and knee pain. The authors took to finding "the effect of acupuncture on back-pain and knee-pain treatment of elderly people" as an alternative to analgesic usage. The study surveyed older adults receiving treatment every two days for a total of 10 sessions [...]

TRIPLL's Roybal Center application to the National Institute on Aging was successful! We were awarded a competitive five year renewal to continue our Translational Research Institute on Pain in Later Life. We welcome our new core investigators: Jeanne Teresi, PhD, EdD and Mildred Ramirez, PhD from The Hebrew Home at Riverdale and Corinna Loeckenhoff, PhD from Cornell University in Ithaca. Click here for more information

The authors of a recent study published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Journal examined the “association between self-reported sleep disturbances and dementia risk.” The authors conducted a longitudinal study that followed 1574 men for up to 40 years. The study determined dementia incidence by reviewing their patient history between ages 50 and 90 years. The authors found that “men with self-reported sleep disturbances had a higher risk of developing dementia [...]

A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry conducted a largest ever study that aimed to “systematically review the antidepressant and possible adverse effects of anti-inflammatory interventions.” The authors conducted a search for randomized placebo-controlled trials assessing the efficacy and adverse effects of pharmacologic anti-inflammatory treatment in adults with depression/depressive symptoms. The study evaluated 14 international studies with a total of 6,262 patients. The authors found that “anti-inflammatory treatment showed a [...]

A recent study published in BMC Geriatrics sought to “estimate the associations between survival probability of becoming a centenarian (SPBC) for those aged 70, and the gross national income, health expenditure, telecommunications, and sanitation facilities in 32 countries.” Data for this study was obtained from the United Nations Development Programme and the Human Mortality Database. The authors found a significant positive correlation between SPBC and the socioeconomic levels in [...]

Dr. Mancuso, a 2013 TRIPLL Pilot Awardee, was recently awarded a research grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Her research will focus on comparing patient’s and surgeons’ expectations of Lumber Spine Surgery. For more information about her research work click here

Join us at the 42nd Annual Conference of the State Society on Aging of New York, as Dr. Cary Reid (TRIPLL’s director) delivers a talk on Community-Based Palliative Care and the need for New Models of Service Delivery. The program highlights the priorities of the 2015 White House Conference on Aging – retirement security, long-term services and supports, healthy aging, and elder justice.

The authors of a recent study published in Pain Medicine, “investigated if older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) are more sedentary than a group of similar age and sex without CMP, and possible contributory factors to this.” The study enrolled 286 community-dwelling older adults, with an equal proportion of participants with and without CMP. Participants completed surveys on falls rate, pain inventory, activities, fear of falling, and participation in [...]

Emily Chen, TRIPLL Affiliate and Mentee, received a Francis G. Caro Student Paper Award at the University of Massachusetts. Her paper entitled "Social Diffusion of Advance Care Planning among Related Older Adults" was selected by the review committee at UMass Gerontology Department as the most outstanding doctoral level paper.

The authors of a recent study published in The Gerontologist , “examined whether the associations of Positive Affect (PA) and depressive symptoms with sleep problems differed between caregivers and noncaregivers.” Interviews were conducted with 92 caregivers and 137 noncaregivers ages 60 and older. Sleep problems were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and depressive symptoms were assessed based on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale. The authors found [...]

A recent study published in the Journal of Aging and Health sought to “identify the intrinsic, psychosocial and lifestyle factors which predict the incidence of having an injurious fall or acquiring a fear of falling (FOF).” The authors conducted an 11 year longitudinal study consisting of 1000 community-dwelling older adults ages 65 and older. The authors found that the “predictors of injurious falls were increasing age, slower gait speed, and [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Addictive Behaviors reviewed the “present gaps in the literature on subjective and objective sleep disturbances among opioid dependent individuals” with pain.  The authors recruited 68 participants with pain who were assessed using the ”Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).” The authors conclude that “the findings highlight the importance of assessing and treating sleep disturbances, as well as pain, [...]

The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology examined “the knowledge and attitudes of 41 undergraduate nursing students regarding pain management.” Each nurse was asked to complete “a demographic data form, the Nurses' Attitude Survey, and the Pain Management Principles Assessment Tool.” The authors conclude that the “findings suggest the need to develop specific strategies to effectively teach undergraduate nursing students about [...]

A recent study published in American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation proposed “an educational module to instruct pain medicine fellows in the appropriate performance of interventional pain management techniques.” Participating fellow were “evaluated via patient surveys and 360-degree global rating scales, maintained procedure logs, and completed two patient-care reports; which were reviewed by program directors to ensure adequate completion.” Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in International Psychogeriatrics examined the relationship between chronic pain and depressive symptoms among older adults. The authors found that "overall, it may be that what is really important to emotional well-being is not so much pain itself, but rather the way in which the pain alters older people's lives." Full Story

The authors of a study published in Arthritis reviewed the extent to which "weight status impacts salient physical, health, and pain measures in older, knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients." The authors assessed differences in mobility performance, and pain symptoms as a function of weight status." The study results indicate that "normal weight subjects outperformed obese participants on most measures.” Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in Current Opinion in Psychiatry “explored potential role of psychological treatments for older people who are affected by chronic pain.” The results indicate that  “particular challenges arise for the delivery of psychological interventions to people with pain and cognitive impairment associated with dementia.” The authors conclude that “there is sufficient evidence that psychological interventions are efficacious for older people with chronic pain.” Full [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Pain Management Nursing explored “nurses' and care workers' estimations of residents' pain (both general and chronic) and the number of residents with unknown pain status.” The included 750 nursing facilities in which one nurse and one case worker from each facility was asked to complete a questionnaire. The authors found that “nurses and care workers had relatively low estimations of the prevalence [...]

The authors of a recent study published in The Journal of Rheumatology determined the “diagnostic test performance of location of pain and activity-related pain in identifying knees with patellofemoral joint (PFJ) structural damage” among older adults. The authors enrolled 407 participants and assessed Cartilage damage and bone marrow lesions using magnetic resonance imaging. Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in Pain Medicine aimed to “understand illness representations of back pain, severe enough to restrict activity (restricting back pain)” among older adults. The authors performed semi-structured interviews with 23 community dwelling older adults “to stimulate discussion about how older adults understand and perceive living with restricting back pain.” The study results indicate “that restricting back pain in older adults has variable and noteworthy [...]

The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing examined the “presence of uncontrolled and untreated pain in patients with cognitive impairments such as delirium and dementia” among older adults in the hospital setting. The authors reviewed the effectiveness of the Pain Assessment In Advanced Dementia (PAINAD) scale as an evaluation tool for older adults with pain. The authors conclude that the “proper use of the [...]

The authors of a recent study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society evaluated “the strong associations between dyspnea and pain.” The authors analyzed data from “266,000 Medicare Managed Care recipients surveyed in 2010 and 2012, who were assessed for pain interference, chest pain, back pain, arthritis pain, and shortness of breath.” The authors conclude that “pain and dyspnea commonly occurred together,” and that “most older adults with [...]

The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners examined “the benefits and risk of NSAID use in older adults.” The authors conducted a electronic data collection of research studies, evidence-based reviews, consensus statements, and guidelines to search for studies related to the purpose of this article. Studies were analyzed if published between 2000 and 2013 in English and were searched using [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Trials explored “the effectiveness of an integrated pain management program in improving pain intensity, functional mobility, physical activity, loneliness levels, happiness levels, and the use of non-pharmacological pain-relieving methods among frail older adults with chronic pain.” Participants were recruited to join an 8-week group based pain management program, which consisted of 2 one-hour sessions each week. The results indicate that the program [...]

A recent study published in the Journal of Community Health assessed whether the “modified 14-item Arthritis Health Belief Model (AHBI) instrument can be used among ethnically diverse older adults with arthritis.” The results indicate that the AHBI can be useful in “ assessing how individual perceptions influence access to nonpharmacological pain therapy among ethnically diverse community-dwelling older adults; and measuring the likelihood of using nonpharmacological pain therapy by older adults.” [...]

A recent study published in Holistic Nursing Practice evaluated “the effects of an exercise program titled Sit 'N' Fit Chair Yoga on pain and physical and psychological functioning among” community dwelling older adults. Participants were assigned to either an exercise group that included Sit ‘N’ Chair Yoga or an intervention group that did not include yoga. The authors found a “greater improvement in depression and life satisfaction in the yoga [...]

The authors of a recent study published in British Medical Journal examined “whether consistent physical activity is related to incident disability and disability progression among older adults.” The authors enrolled 1680 community dwelling older adults with knee osteoarthritis or risk factors for knee osteoarthritis. The results indicate that “an increase in daily physical activity time may reduce the risk of disability, even if the intensity of that additional activity is [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases studied “the longitudinal associations between baseline knee pain, knee cartilage volume and cartilage defects in older adults.” The authors measured the total remaining knee cartilage of 356 community dwelling older adults with knee osteoarthritis over a 3 year period. The authors found that patients with high knee cartilage volume were less likely to report significant pain symptoms. [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Stroke Research and Treatment evaluated “the cross-sectional association between stroke and arthritis and examined whether the relationship differed in physically active and inactive older adults.” The authors found that “individuals with arthritis were 4 times more likely to report a history of stroke where as those who were engaged in at least moderate physical activity were less than half as likely.” Full [...]

The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy evaluated the effectiveness of a Tai Chi exercise program in improving health and relieving pain symptoms among ethnically diverse older adults.  The authors developed a 16-week Tai Chi program that was implemented in community centers serving community dwelling older adults residing in specific low income neighborhoods in Canada. The authors conclude that “participating in TC for [...]

The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of Transcultural Nursing examined the "behavioral and clinical indicators of sleep difficulty among older African Americans diagnosed with arthritis." The authors enrolled 193 African American older adults who completed a questionnaire that assessed their health, pain symptoms, and sleep patterns. The authors found a significant relationship between increased pain reports and decreased sleep among older adults with arthritis, and a [...]

The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing examined the “presence of uncontrolled and untreated pain in patients with cognitive impairments such as delirium and dementia” among older adults in the hospital setting. The authors reviewed the effectiveness of the Pain Assessment In Advanced Dementia (PAINAD) scale as an evaluation tool for older adults with pain. The authors conclude that the “proper use of the [...]

The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society evaluated “the effects of chronic pain on the development of disability and decline in physical performance over time in older adults.” The authors enrolled 634 community-dwelling older adults age 65 and older with arthritis. The authors found that “older community-dwelling adults living with chronic pain in multiple musculoskeletal locations have a substantially greater risk for [...]

The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of Transcultural Nursing examined the “behavioral and clinical indicators of sleep difficulty among older African Americans diagnosed with arthritis.” The authors enrolled 193 African American older adults who completed a questionnaire that assessed their health, pain symptoms, and sleep patterns. The authors found a significant relationship between increased pain reports and decreased sleep among older adults with arthritis. Full Story

The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) recently featured a series that focused on the use of meditation for pain management among older adults. Click here to view the video presentation.

The authors of a recent study published in Spine reviewed studies that “demonstrated the unreliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based parameters to identify pathological pain generators of chronic low back pain.” The authors’ aim was to determine whether “advancements in computer image analysis provide objective measurements of lumbar disc features and pain conditions among older adults.” The authors enrolled 39 older adults age 65 and older who reported mild to [...]

The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of the American Directors Association aimed to promote quality end-of-life (EOL) care for nursing home residents, through the establishment of advance care plan (ACP) and introduction of a new care pathway” for new comorbidities, including pain. The authors enrolled 76 older nursing home residents and monitored the ratio of clinical to emergency admissions, ACP compliance rate, average length of stay [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine evaluate the evidence of whether massage therapy (MT) is effective for neck pain in older adults. The authors conducted a randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified through searches of 5 literature databases using the following search terms: “neck pain, neck disorders, cervical vertebrae, massage.” The authors conclude that “there were no valid lines of evidence of [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Current Pharmaceutical Design examined the relationship between pain and obesity in older adults. The authors found “cross-sectional studies that revealed a high correlation between pain and obesity, and a few longitudinal studies that implicate obesity as a risk factor for the development of pain and the associated reduction in quality of life.” However, the authors conclude that “more research is warranted to [...]

The authors of a recent study published in the British Journal of Nursing conducted an extended literature review to identify barriers older adults encounter when self-reporting their chronic pain. The authors found that “attitudes such as stoicism, beliefs such as pain being a necessary part of ageing, and the external barriers generated by health professionals, all have a multidimensional relationship with the 'decision' to seek help for pain.” The results [...]

The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society “evaluated medications prescribed for pain pre- and post withdrawal to determine if there was an association with fall events among elderly patients with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis.” The authors enrolled 13,354 patients, aged 65–89, with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA) who were examined for fall fractures in association with analgesic prescriptions.  The authors conclude that [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Clinical Interventions in Aging designed a “new shoe insole and explored the effectiveness of the insole in improving balance and alleviating foot pain in healthy older adults.” The authors enrolled older adult patients age 65 and older without abnormal gait patterns, or lower limb deformities. Each participant was assigned to good- and poor-stability groups and were required to wear the insole for [...]

The authors of a recent study published in International Journal of Audiology “evaluated the occurrence of 27 chronic medical conditions in a cohort of older adults with and without hearing impairment, and to examine the association between these conditions and hearing ability.” The authors enrolled 890 hearing-impaired and 975 normal-hearing participants and found that “dizziness causing falling, diabetes and arthritis were significantly associated with poor hearing ability.” Full Story [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Arthritis Research and Therapy described the “cross-sectional associations between popliteal cysts, pain, knee symptoms and structural abnormalities in older adults.” The authors enrolled 900 older adults who completed a questionnaire that assessed knee pain, stiffness, and dysfunction. The results indicate that “popliteal cysts were significantly associated with increased weight-bearing knee pain” among older adults. Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in BMC Geriatrics evaluated the “association between falls and chronic pain in order to determine whether pain is associated with a greater risk of falling.” The authors enrolled 16, 357 community-dwelling older adults who were age 65 and older. The authors found that fall risk was significantly greater in individuals who reported high pain intensity. Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in Complementary Therapy in Medicine examined the effects of “massage with aromatic ginger oil (SMGO) on chronic low back pain and disability in older adults compared with traditional Thai massage (TTM).” The authors enrolled 140 older adults patients who were randomly selected to participate in either the SMGO group or the TTM group. The authors found that both “SMGO and TTM led to [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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, [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing evaluated “analgesic use in hip fracture patients with dementia during the first two postoperative days as reported by nurses.” The study enrolled 269 nurses who worked with older adult hip fracture patients in orthopedic clinics/hospitals.  Each nurse completed a questionnaire that assessed the total number of analgesics administered to dementia patients after hip fracture surgery. The study [...]

The authors of a recent study published in HSS Journal examined the effects of an adapted (vs. the original) Arthritis Self-Help Program (ASHP) among older adults. The authors wanted to determine 1) whether the adapted ASHP improved attendance, retention, and adherence with the use of self-management exercises, and (2) if the original ASHP's beneficial outcomes were maintained following program adaptation. The authors enrolled 201 participants, and found that the adapted [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Pain Medicine examined “the characteristics, treatment, and health care expenditures of Medicare Supplemental-insured patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pDPN) or fibromyalgia.” The authors enrolled 25,716 older adults (mean age= 75) with multiple comorbidities who received supplemental insurance from Medicaid. The study results indicate that “pain-related health care expenditures decreased as age increased” among Medicare supplemental-insured patients with pDPN, or fibromyalgia. Full [...]

The authors of a recent study published in American Journal of Medicine evaluated “handgrip strength, an objective measure of physical function for bedridden patients, as a predictor of walking recovery in the year after fracture surgery.”  The authors enrolled 504 patients aged 70 years or older “who were admitted to the hospital for hip fracture surgery and were formerly able to walk independently.” The authors conducted a multivariable evaluation of [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Drugs and Aging evaluated the factors associated with severe acute pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery. The authors found that poor acute pain control after TKA is strongly associated with chronic pain development,” which emphasizes the importance of attention to good acute pain control after TKA among older adults. The study results indicate that “complementary or psychological therapies may be beneficial [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Physiotherapy Canada explored the “feasibility and efficacy of using a power training exercise program for elderly women with knee osteoarthritis (OA).” The authors enrolled 17 older adult women who participated in a exercise program that consisted of 24 sessions over the course of 8 weeks. The study results indicate that a “short power-training exercise program is a feasible training modality for patients [...]

The authors of a  recent report published in Journal of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy provided information on the increasing need for palliative care treatments and programs to address the chronic conditions of older adults. The authors state that pain was a common condition and that "chronic pain affected more than 50% of older people in the community." The study results indicate that more palliative care treatments for older adults [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Arthritis Care and Research (Hoboken) reviewed “evidence suggesting that older adults are under-represented in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) designed to address back pain.” The authors identified “274 RCTs, published between 1992 and 2010 that met the inclusion criteria.” A total of 41.6% (n=114) of the included trials excluded people over 65 years, suggesting that older adults are largely excluded from RCTs evaluating [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Home Healthcare Services Quarterly “examined the longitudinal association between pain and diagnosis of cancer among older adults participating in the Home and Community Based Waiver Program.” The study results indicate that “being female, having a medical diagnosis of depression, or increasing measure of comorbid conditions significantly increased the likelihood of daily pain.” In comparison, “increasing age, being of African American, Hispanic, or [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Physiotherapy Canada identified “exercise patterns and perceived barriers, enablers, and motivators to engaging in exercise for older adults following hip fracture.” The study enrolled 32 older adults who completed a series of telephone interviews one year after a reported hip fracture. The study results indicate that “older adults engage in exercise despite the potential limitations associated with a hip fracture,” and that [...]

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." [...]

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." [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

In Drug Discovery Today a recent study evaluated whether “a shift in the drug discovery paradigm is necessary to improve efficacy, side-effects or positively impact quality of life in the elderly with chronic pain.” The authors found that chronic pain among older adults can be “influenced by co-morbid diseases (e.g. diabetes, cancer, depression, Alzheimer's disease, etc.), changes in physiological competency (e.g. drug metabolism/elimination)” or mental cognition. Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics aimed to develop a modified version of the Assessment of Pain in Elderly People with Communication Impairment (PACSLAC-J) and evaluate the validity and reliability of the scale for use in older patients with dementia. The authors used the PACSLAC-J  to assess pain behaviors among 117 older adults with dementia and found that “patients who stated they experienced [...]

A recent study published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage examined whether osteoarthritis (OA) associated with back pain effects physical mobility and joint pain among older adults. The study consisted of 252 older adults (mean age =67) who underwent computed tomography (CT) scans to assess joint OA and spinal disk pain. The authors conclude that “each additional joint with severe OA conferred with greater odds of back pain.” Full Story

A recent study published in Drugs and Aging explored “patterns of non-opioid, weak opioid and strong opioid use prior to initiation of oxycodone for non-cancer pain in a predominantly older adult population.” The authors evaluated analgesic use 12 months prior to incident oxycodone prescriptions for non-cancer pain among 10,791 older adults. The authors found that “oxycodone was frequently initiated for non-cancer pain without first trialing other analgesics.” Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society investigated the effects of a twice-weekly multitarget stepping (MTS) task combined with a multicomponent exercise program on stepping accuracy, gaze behavior, fall risk factors, and fall rates among older adults. The study consisted of 264 community dwelling older adults 65 and older who were randomized into an MTS group (n = 132) and a control group (n = 132). [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Pain Medicine “conducted a cross-sectional study to estimate the association between acculturation and the prevalence, intensity, and functional limitations of pain in older Hispanic adults in the United States.” The study consisted 18,593 English and Spanish-speaking Hispanic and non-Hispanic White individuals who were interviewed for the Health and Retirement Study during 1998-2008. The authors found that “pain prevalence and intensity were not [...]

A recent study published in the Journal of Pain examined “whether older adults are less likely to receive analgesics during pre-hospital care.” The authors “analyzed all ambulance transports in 2011 in the state of North Carolina and compared the administration of any analgesic or an opioid among older adults (aged 65 and older) versus adults aged 18 to 64.” The authors found that “older adults were generally less likely to [...]

A recent study published in Gerontologist examined the characteristics associated with the likelihood of nursing home admission for community-dwelling older adults residing in disadvantaged neighborhoods.  The study consisted of 993 physically impaired older adults age 65 and older from various neighborhoods (poverty level, middle class, upper class). The authors conclude that “physical impairment was associated with nursing home admissions for older adults living in highly disadvantaged neighborhood environments in contrast [...]

A recent study published in Pain evaluated knee pain among older adults (mean age=65.4) with osteoarthritis and how their pain conditions affect their spouses’ ability to sleep.  The study consisted of “138 patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and their spouses who completed baseline interviews and a 22-day diary assessment.” The authors found that “patient pain was more strongly related to less refreshing sleep for spouses who were in a close [...]

A recent study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society examined the severity of dental caries among older adults in the last year of life. The study consisted of 1,216 older adults aged 65 and older who attended a community-based geriatric dental clinic. The authors found that, “Individuals who could maintain oral hygiene independently had a low level of caries at the end of life, however, dental caries had [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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

A recent study published in The Nurse Practitioner featured methods for managing herpes zoster (or Shingles) among older adults. The authors identified a higher incidence of shingles outbreaks among women over the age of 60. The study results indicate that “the treatment of herpes zoster has three goals: to prevent spread of the virus, to treat pain, and to prevent complications.” Full Story

A recent article published in Nursing Times featured new guidelines on the management of pain in older adults that were developed by the British Pain Society and the British Geriatric Society. The authors employed a systematic review in which the authors search PubMed and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) for relevant publications between 1997 and 2010.  The authors “identified only a small number of studies on [...]

A recent study published in Pain Medicine examined “the demographic, physical, and mental health characteristics; current drug use patterns; motivations for use; and diversion sources among elderly prescription opioid misusers.” The study consisted of eighty-eight older adults (age 60 and older) who reported prescription medication misuse over the past 90 days. The authors found that “this group of elderly participants often misuse their own prescriptions for pain management.” Full Story

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society sought to determine “types of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and actually inappropriate medications (AIMs), which PIMs are most likely to be considered AIMs, and risk factors for PIMs and AIMs at hospital discharge in elderly intensive care unit (ICU) survivors.” The authors found that “certain types of PIMs, which are commonly initiated in the ICU, are more frequently [...]

A recent article published on the New York Times’ “The New Old Age” blog addressed a recent report in which researchers have identified decreased dementia rates among older adults in Europe. The author found that “the new generation of very old people [are] functioning at a much higher level, ” and concludes that “it’s possible to increase the number of people who live to very old ages and at the [...]

A recent study published in Pain examined age-related changes in offset analgesia (a form of temporal pain inhibition) among older adults. The study consisted of “twenty-five younger adults and twenty older adults who completed six offset trials in which an experimental heat stimulus was presented to their forearms.” Participants rated pain intensity continuously through each trial, and older adult participants, “demonstrated reduced offset compared to younger adults.” The authors conclude [...]

Dr. Cary Reid, Director of the Translational Research Institute on Pain in Later Life, recently attended and presented at the 8th Annual NIH Pain Consortium. His presentation focused on pain self-management programs that have been implemented in community settings. He also addressed knowledge gaps in pain treatment and summarized current research and policy issues related to pain self-management. Click here to view Dr. Reid’s presentation, which begins at the 33:20 [...]

A recent study published in the Journal of Health Nutrition and Aging measured the prevalence and clinical correlates of unrecognized comorbid mood disorders and chronic pain of uncertain origin in older primary care patients. The study consisted of 2720 patients with “persistent pain of uncertain origin.” The authors conclude that, “depression is highly associated with pain of uncertain origin in older patients.” Full Story

A recent article featured in the New York Times’  “Health and Wellness” blog addressed persistent disability rates among older adults.  The author found that, “a vast majority of people who live to older ages live with disability or a mobility problem in the last years of life, and for women it’s even more likely.” The author also mentioned that, “we shouldn’t deny demographic reality. If you live to be 90, [...]

Dr. Mark Lachs, Co-Chief of the Division of Geriatric & Palliative Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, recently posted a blog on Huffington Post that overviewed Dr. Jason Karlawish’s recent keynote presentation at the NYC Elder Abuse Conference. Dr. Karlawish’s presentation focused on the importance of capacity assessment in work with older adults. Click here to read Dr. Lachs’ blog on Huffington Post.  A summary of this blog was also [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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

A recent study published in Patient Education and Counseling examined older adults experiencing difficulties in “attaining personal goals due to disease symptoms such as pain, fatigue and reduced mobility.” The study consisted of 305 patients (mean age: 62 years) diagnosed with polyarthritis who participated in a questionnaire study that evaluated “self-efficacy in relation to goal management.” The authors found that “goal management strategies were found to be important predictors of [...]

The Journal, Rheumatology International recently featured a study that evaluated “the roles of sociocultural status, distress and cognitive functions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who developed methotrexate (MTX)-related neutropenia.” The study consisted of 74 (age 60 and older) older adults diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The Authors found that “low socioeconomical status and older age are associated with serious toxicity in RA patients using MTX” and that “measures should be taken [...]

A recent study featured in Pain “compared an outpatient pain self-management (PSM) program, using cognitive-behavioural therapy and exercises, with 2 control conditions in 141 chronic pain patients aged 65years and older.” The authors found that “results immediately posttreatment indicated that relative to the Exercise-Attention Control (EAC) group, the PSM group was significantly improved on measures of pain distress, disability, mood, unhelpful pain beliefs, and functional reach.” Full Story

In Pain Management Nursing, a recent study evaluated the opinions of registered nurses regarding pain and the assessed need for pain medication for elderly patients through the use of questionnaires. The study consisted of 56 nurses municipal nursing homes and municipal home care. Full Story

A recent study published in Pain Management Nursing sought to enhance pain management in nursing homes via an integrated pain management program (IPMP) for staff and residents.  The Authors found that “IPMP was effective in enhancing the knowledge and attitudes of nursing staff, as well as reducing pain conditions and enhancing psychologic well-being for older persons in nursing homes.” Full Story

A recent review featured in Medscape Today, provides researchers and health professionals with a brief refresher regarding the proper methods for assessing pain among older adults. The review discussed methods for treating older adults patients with symptoms and conditions similar to the following case study: “Jane Jones is 72 years old and lives alone. She is quite active and likes to spend time outside. You often see her working in [...]

A recent study published in News Medical consisted of focus groups conducted by a panel of experts at Greenwich University in which individuals “were invited to provide their opinions on a range of self-help materials designed to give older adults advice and guidance on managing their pain.” Focus group participants were not required to “have specialist knowledge of health issues, but were required to have a broad interest in [...]

A recent study in Medscape Today found that current pain assessment instruments should be modified in order to accommodate older adults. The author mentioned that, "Persistent pain affects 50% of individuals aged 65 and older. Our instruments for pain assessment and the content of curricula need to be geared to the unique challenges in older people." Full Story

On the website medpage.com,  a recent article addressed the problem of chronic pain among older adults. The authors found that "18.7 million (52.3%) adults, ages 65 to 69, reported bothersome pain within the last month as did 56% those ages 90 and up." Full Story

The Stanford School of Medicine recently featured a study on their SCOPE blog that discussed the possibility of using video games to bolster mental health capacity among older adults. Please see below for an excerpt from the study: "Much of the psychological research conducted on the impact of digital games has focused on the possible adverse effects of playing digital games. Contrary to these and other studies, the findings of [...]

A recent article published on NBC.com found that "13 percent of boomers report 'excellent health,' compared to 32 percent of the earlier generation at that age." This implies that accure heftier health care cost, and would require more treatment options. Full Story

An article published in ScienceDaily evaluated the effect of cardio and weight lifting exercises on health care visits among older adults. The authors found that  "those who participated in the cardio or weight training program incurred fewer health care resources -- such as doctor visits and lab tests." Full Story  

A recent article published in Clinical Drug Investigation determined that "numerous barriers to effective management resulting in a large proportion of patients not achieving optimal pain control, " and that "chronic pain is inadequately treated because of a combination of cultural, societal, educational, political and religious constraints." Full Story  

The New York Times recently featured an article on their Well blog that discussed the positive effects of  psychological and emotional therapy for older adults. The following is an excerpt from the article: “For people in their 80s and 90s now, depression was considered almost a moral weakness,” said Dr. Gallagher-Thompson. “Fifty years ago, when they were in their 20s and 30s, people were locked up and someone threw away [...]

An article featured on NPR's SHOTs wellness blog discussed recent study results that indicate that older adults are more susceptible to scams and identity fraud. The author mentioned that " older adults rated the trustworthy faces and the neutral faces exactly the same as the younger adults did, but when it got to the cues of untrustworthiness, they didn't process those cues as well." Full Story

A study published in American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation sought to determine whether “mobility and functional pain were different among older men and women with chronic low-back pain and varying body mass index levels.” The study consisted of 55 older adults age 60-85 years old. Participants completed a series of functional examinations that measured walking endurance, ability to climb stairs, and pain rating with activity. Full Story

In the Journal of Asthma a recent study examined the “impact of depressive symptoms on asthma outcomes and medication adherence among inner-city elderly patients with asthma.” The study consisted of 360 adults over the age of 60.  Data was collected using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), and Asthma Related Quality of Life (AQLQ), and from inpatient and outpatient visits.  The authors concluded that, “in this cohort [...]

An article published in the American Journal of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy assessed the adverse effects caused by analgesics commonly used by older adults with osteoarthritis.  The authors performed a systematic review of the literature using online databases and the search terms, "analgesics," "acetaminophen," "non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs" (NSAIDs), "opioids," "pharmacokinetics," "pharmacodynamics," and "adverse drug events." The authors found that "NSAIDs should be limited to short-term use only, and for moderate-to-severe OA-related pain, opioids may [...]

Last month, Clinical Journal of Pain published a study that evaluated the cost effectiveness of self- management techniques for older adults. The study employed a "systematic review of randomized controlled trials with cost-effectiveness data and at least 6 months follow up." The authors identified 10 RCT studies that reported participants' age 60 and older and met all other inclusion criteria. Seven of the 10 RCT studies found self- management methods for chronic [...]

A recent article published in Gerontologist, and co-authored by TRIPLL members and affiliates, sought to evaluate the immediate and delayed consequences of chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) management. Over the course of the study, focus group sessions with patients, physicians, and physical therapists. Audiotapes of the sessions were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative methods. The authors' identified "multiple aspects of time perceptions relevant to the management of CNCP: the long-term prognosis, the time [...]

A recent article published in Cochrane Database System Review evaluated the effectiveness of topical NSAIDs treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain among older adults. The authors performed a systematic review of the literature addressing topical NSAID use for chronic musculoskeletal pain and selected studies that evaluated treatment efficacy for more than 8 weeks and had a minimum of 10 participants. 34 studies (a total of 7688 participants) were identified using the specified search [...]

In the Journal of Pain Symptom Management a recently published study examined pain medication adherence among older adult cancer patients in hospice care. The objective of the study was to determine "if pain-related factors and non-pharmacologic interventions affect medication adherence in older cancer patients in community-based hospices." A total of 65 older adults from 13 community-based hospices participated in the study. The authors determined that "patients were the most adherent to non-steroidal [...]

A recent article published in Pain Medicine featured a translational pain management intervention for older adults. The intervention titled Translating Research into Practice (TRIP) was "designed to promote the adoption of evidence-based pain practices for older adults with cancer in community-based hospices." The intervention employed a randomized controlled trial and was implemented in 16 mid-western hospices. The authors collected and analyzed qualitative focus group data from the hospice staff. The authors noted [...]

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine published a recent study that addressed the use of mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) as a treatment for lower back pain. The authors performed a systematic review of MBSR for lower back pain by searching select online databases. The authors identified 3 RCTS, 2 of which focused primarily on addressing lower back pain among older adults (age >65). Each identified RCT was considered low risk with [...]

In a thought a provoking blog based upon research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, Paula Span discusses the difficulty in surrogate decision making when a loved one is nearing the end of their life. Though typically assumed to be a communication error, the disconnect between what doctors tell loved ones about the patients chances and what they hear may more likely be caused by an optimistic bias [...]

Irving Kahn has been a stock broker since 1928  (a year before the great depression) and has been trading stocks ever since.  Scientist have conducted studies on him in order to identify the secret behind his longevity. They discovered that Mr. Kahn has a gene that may explain why he and his siblings have lived past the age of 100. Check out the link below to learn more about his [...]

A new study from Norway suggests that a lack of sleep over the years can double or even triple the risk of fibromyalgia for certain age groups. Although this is the largest study to date, scientists are wary of drawing any conclusions about what actually causes fibromyalgia. However, it has long been understand that poor sleeping patterns can lead to a worsening of symptoms for those suffering from the disease, [...]

Spinal vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are the most common fracture due to osteoporosis, are painful, and after the first occurs the risk doubles. The traditional treatment for these fractures was bed rest and medications, with a newer procedure allowing cement to be injected into the fracture site, hardening quickly and stabilizing the bone. However, new technologies have allowed a more viscous cement to be used, opening the doors to treating [...]

The United States Preventative Services task force has made the recommendation that healthy men with no signs of prostrate problems should not be getting the P.S.A. screening regularly. The test, which detects prostate specific antigen, cannot determine whether the cancer it finds is life threatening or will ever develop to dangerous extents during the patients lifetime, however the treatment that can follow positive results could cause incontinence, impotence, and even [...]

Dr. Karl Pillemer, the Hazel E. Reed Professor of Human Development in the College of Human Ecology and professor of gerontology in medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, has launched a new innovative blog that looks to branch the gap between young and old. The blog works as an advice column where older individuals are provided a platform where they can share "hard-won insights, recommendations and philosophies on living". Feel [...]