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Published on: September 30, 2020
Cognitive dysfunction and depression may decrease activities in daily life more strongly than pain in
Timo Kauppila1, Anne Pesonen, Pekka Tarkkila
1Korso Health Center, Department of Social and Health Care, Vantaa, Finland.
Pain Practice : the Official Journal of World Institute of Pain
|August 24, 2007
Summary
In elderly individuals with chronic pain, cognitive decline and depression significantly impact daily activities more than pain itself. Pain during movement correlated with daily function, but pain at rest did not, possibly due to low pain intensity in this study.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pain Management
- Neurology
Background:
- Chronic pain, dementia, and depression are prevalent conditions affecting elderly individuals' quality of life.
- These conditions can significantly impair daily activities and overall well-being in older adults.
- Understanding the interplay between pain, cognition, and mood is crucial for effective geriatric care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between chronic pain intensity and daily activities in home-dwelling elderly individuals.
- To examine the relationship between pain, cognitive status (dementia), and depression.
- To explore the interrelationships among these factors in the elderly population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 41 elderly home-dwelling individuals undergoing rehabilitation for chronic pain was studied.
- Pain severity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Verbal Rating Scale (VRS).
- Cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination - MMSE), depression (Geriatric Depression Scale - GDS), and functional ability (Barthel Index) were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Pain ratings at rest correlated with depression severity (GDS), but not with daily activity levels (Barthel Index).
- Daily activity (Barthel Index) positively correlated with pain during motion (VRS) but not with pain at rest.
- Cognitive function (MMSE) correlated positively with daily activities (Barthel Index) and negatively with depression (GDS).
Conclusions:
- Cognitive dysfunction and depression appear to have a greater impact on daily activities in the elderly than chronic pain itself.
- The positive correlation between daily activities and pain during motion, contrasted with no correlation for pain at rest, may be attributed to the relatively low pain intensity in the study cohort.
- Interventions targeting cognitive function and depression may be more effective in improving daily life for elderly individuals with chronic pain.
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