Effects of a behavioral medicine intervention on pain, health, and behavior among community-dwelling older adults: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of an intervention, based on a behavioral medicine approach in physical therapy (BMPI), on pain-related disability and physical performance as well as on pain severity, pain catastrophizing, physical activity levels, falls efficacy, and health-related quality of life (HRQL) by comparing the effects to standard care.

Patients and methods

The study was a pragmatic randomized controlled trial with a two-group design and included measurements preintervention and postintervention and a 12-week follow-up. In total, 105 older adults, aged >75 years with chronic musculoskeletal pain living alone at home and dependent on formal care to manage their everyday lives, were included in the study. All statistical analyses were performed using an intention to treat approach.

Results

The intervention, based on a behavioral medicine approach, compared to usual care, had a positive effect on pain-related disability, pain severity, level of physical activity, HRQL, management of everyday life, and self-efficacy.

Conclusion

BMPI can be a suitable evidence-based intervention for community-dwelling older adults, even for those who are very old and frail. BMPI can support and promote an active aging and “age in place” for the target population, which is currently the main goal of all interventions in this field.

Keywords:

• active aging
• behavior change
• exercise
• pain management
• physical therapy
• self-efficacy

Acknowledgments

The authors sincerely thank all the older adults who participated in the study. We also sincerely thank Professor Are Hugo Pripp for help with the statistical analysis. This study was funded by the Norwegian Physical Therapist Association. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Data availability statement

Raw data are available from Dr Sara Cederbom at [email protected] upon request.

Author Contributions

SC and AB contributed with the conception of the study and obtaining funding. SC was the lead investigator of the study and performed statistical analysis and writing of the manuscript with contributions from the other authors. All authors contributed towards study design, data analysis, drafting and critically revising the paper, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in regard to this work.