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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2019 Jul 5:14:1207-1220.
doi: 10.2147/CIA.S208102. eCollection 2019.

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

Sara Cederbom  1 , Suzanne G Leveille  2   3   4 , Astrid Bergland  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

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

Sara Cederbom et al. Clin Interv Aging. .

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

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

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of study sample and randomization.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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