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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
03:59
Therapeutic Massage for Psychological Well-being in Geriatric Oncology
Published on: May 22, 2026
[The elderly need better pain treatment].
Ulf E Kongsgaard1, Torgeir Bruun Wyller, Harald Breivik
1Anestesi- og intensivklinikken Rikshospitalet og Det medisinske fakultet Universitetet i Oslo. u.e.kongsgaard@klinmed.uio.no
Summary
Managing pain in older adults is complex due to multiple diagnoses and age-related changes. Multidisciplinary programs combining medication and non-medication strategies are effective for elderly pain management.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pain Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacology
Context:
- Globally, developed nations face an aging population, increasing the prevalence of age-related health issues.
- Understanding and treating diseases, particularly acute and chronic pain, in the oldest individuals remains a significant knowledge gap.
- Assessing pain in the elderly is challenging due to comorbidities, altered pain perception, and cognitive impairments.
Purpose:
- To highlight the complexities of pain assessment and management in the aging population.
- To emphasize the efficacy of multidisciplinary pain management programs for elderly patients.
- To underscore the need for tailored pharmacological approaches and further research in geriatric pain.
Summary:
- Pain assessment in older adults is complicated by multiple diagnoses, age-related sensory changes, and cognitive decline.
- Multidisciplinary pain management programs, integrating pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, demonstrate effectiveness in the elderly.
- Individualized analgesic selection and dosage adjustments are crucial, considering age-related metabolic changes, comorbidities, and polypharmacy.
Impact:
- Improved clinical guidelines for pain management in geriatric populations.
- Enhanced professional education and targeted research initiatives for elderly pain.
- Better quality of life for aging individuals experiencing acute and chronic pain.
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