More Movement, Less Bodily Pain? Findings From a Large, Representative Multi-District Aging Study in Ghana

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Pain Management

Background:

• Physical activity (PA) association with pain is established, but mechanisms in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are unknown.
• Aging populations globally face increasing pain burdens, necessitating context-specific research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between meeting World Health Organization (WHO) PA guidelines and pain in older adults.
• To identify mediating factors in the PA-pain relationship within LMICs.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative cross-sectional study using data from the Aging, Health, Psychological Well-being, and Health-seeking Behavior Study.
• International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) for PA assessment; validated item for pain severity.
• Adjusted multivariable ordinal logistic regression and mediation models.

Main Results:

• 1201 adults (mean age 66.1 years) included; 63.3% female.
• Adherence to WHO PA guidelines associated with 42% lower odds of severe/extreme pain (OR 0.58).
• Association stronger in men (OR 0.52) than women (OR 0.60); mediated by functional limitations, self-rated health, sleep, and injury.

Conclusions:

• Increased physical activity is linked to reduced pain in older adults from LMICs.
• Pain management interventions should encourage PA adherence, especially in LMICs.
• Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings.