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Pain in older adults
Lois L Miller1, Karen Amann Talerico
1School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, USA.
Annual Review of Nursing Research
|July 3, 2002
Summary
Pain is common in older adults, yet often under-identified and undertreated. Research highlights the need for better pain assessment and intervention strategies, especially for minority groups and the very old.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pain Management
- Nursing Research
Background:
- Pain is a significant issue for older adults.
- Existing research reveals prevalent under-identification and undertreatment of pain in this demographic.
- Nursing research plays a crucial role in understanding and addressing pain in aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review 80 research reports on pain in older adults.
- To synthesize findings on pain prevalence, assessment, and treatment in elderly populations.
- To identify gaps and recommend future research directions in geriatric pain management.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 80 published research reports (1985-2001).
- Searches of MEDLINE and CINAHL databases using keywords: pain, older adult, aged, and dementia.
- Inclusion criteria: studies on individuals aged 60+, conducted by nurses or relevant to nursing, published in English.
Main Results:
- Pain is highly prevalent in older adults.
- Minority groups are underrepresented in studies.
- Under-identification and undertreatment of pain are consistent findings.
- Pain scales are reliable in older adults; observational methods for cognitively impaired need caution.
- Nursing interventions improve pain assessment and management.
Conclusions:
- Further research is needed on pain conceptualization, including multidimensional factors.
- Studies should incorporate pain self-report measures and standardized assessments.
- Future research must focus on underrepresented groups (ethnic minorities, >85 years) and diverse nursing interventions (pharmacological, non-pharmacological, psychosocial).